STUDENTS DEBATE ISSUES; MOCK CONSTITUTIONAL GATHERING DRAWS 200

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A mock constitutional convention held on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University Tuesday proved a legislative lesson for about 200 high school and junior high students.

The fifth annual convention here was attended by students from 10 schools: Cape Central Junior High School, Jackson High School, and Fredericktown, South Iron, Dexter, Meadow Heights, New Madrid, Marquand-Zion, Farmington and Clearwater schools.

Students proposed, debated and voted on a wide range of constitutional amendments, ranging from flag burning to abortion.

State Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, was the keynote speaker at the day-long event, held in the University Center.

Schwab said there's some truth to humorist Will Rogers' remark that no one's life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session.

He noted that over 1,300 bills have been introduced in the Missouri General Assembly this session.

"Every time we make a law, we're actually taking a right away from somebody," said Schwab.

He said that lawmakers have to compromise in order to pass bills.

Schwab said it's important for citizens to be involved in the political process by making their views known to legislators and voting in elections.

Brenda Woemmel, a history and government teacher at Cape Central Junior High, said students benefit from the mock convention.

"They get to apply a number of things they've learned about government," she explained.

"I think it gave us a hands-on feeling about how government works," Jackson sophomore Keenan Kinder said near the end of the day-long mock convention.

"I like the debate, arguing the points," said Jackson senior Thad Horrell.

He said the convention underscores the difficulty of passing legislation. As of early Tuesday afternoon, only two amendments one in support of euthanasia and one outlawing flag burning had been approved.

Both students said the convention showed that there are a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions on any number of issues.

They said that the convention has given them a better understanding of the job legislators must perform.

Mike Steele, a 9th grader at Cape Central Junior High, said, "It's fun. It's interesting."

He added, "You get to jump on people that have opposite views."

Classmate Steve Azinger said: "I didn't know it took so long to get an amendment across."

Still another classmate, Chad Kight said: "I didn't realize there would be so many different views."

Joni James, also a 9th grader at Cape Central Junior High, said that students at the convention were influenced by the views of fellow delegates. "When you're in a situation like that, people have a lot of influence."

The legislative process can also be bewildering at times, the students said. Observed Azinger, "It's good, but it's confusing."