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Philadelphia Students Speak Out on Election Issues: The Power of Student Voices Mayoral Forum

by Jeremy Quattlebaum, Student Voices Staff Writer

February 28, 2007 – The students of Philadelphia’s Central High School spoke, and the men running for mayor listened. And responded.

On Monday, February 26, five candidates seeking the city’s top job traveled to Central High to respond to student questions at a forum attended by Central seniors. Organized by Central teacher Michael Horwits, who has been involved in the Student Voices program since 1999, the event also attracted city print and broadcast media.

The Power of Student Voices Mayoral Forum provided an opportunity for Philadelphia’s youth to raise their concerns. The candidates were grilled on issues including the soaring homicide rate and government ethics.

This semester, about 5,000 Philadelphia students are participating in the Student Voices campaign curriculum focusing on the mayor’s race. Student Voices is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.