The day before the real Presidential election, Glenvar Middle School eighth-graders showed off all they’ve learned about elections in their classes so far this year.

The students and their teachers all gathered in the Forum at the middle school and prepared for a mock debate. Callaway Turner portrayed President Barack Obama, with classmate Barika Mirza by her side as Joe Biden. On the other side, Emily McClung took the stage as Mitt Romney, with Raleigh Brookshier as Paul Ryan.

Civics teacher Sarah Getz explained that all the students took “the world’s smallest political quiz.” With their heads down, so there was no peer pressure to vote one way or the other, students raised their hands in support of either Obama or Romney. After a few students volunteered to speak on stage during the debates, the other students who supported the same candidate joined together in those groups to act as the campaign committee before the mock debate and election.

The students who were still undecided were in the pool to act as the moderator and to devise the questions.

The candidates took on some tough questions about plans for the economy; the war in Afghanistan; taxes for the upper class; women’s right to choose; oil, coal and other energy resources; gun control; illegal immigration; education and more.

The students seem so energetic and passionate about the election. Getz says that’s part of the fun of teaching Civics during an election year.

“I’m so passionate about this that they just latch on,” Getz said. “They’re into it because they know it’s about responsibility and empowerment.”

And the votes are in. If Glenvar Middle School eighth-graders got to decide the election, President Obama would get a second term. They voted for the President with 73 votes (59 percent) to 51 votes (41 percent) for Romney, according to Getz.