One thousand Utah County schoolchildren set the proper example Tuesday for voters in the Kids Voting U.S.A. kickoff rally on the steps of the State Capitol.
Gov. Mike Leavitt even taught the students a cheer. Students were bused from 13 Provo District public and private schools and one Alpine District school."The people of Utah need to hear a message from you," said the governor, asking them to shout the message loudly enough to be heard in St. George.
"Do you like Utah?" the governor asked. "Do you want to make it better? How do you make it better? Vote! Vote! Vote!" he said, encouraging the kids to follow his lead.
Jacalyn Leavitt said every generation has to recognize the value of freedom and take on the responsibility of becoming informed.
"You are an example to the people of Utah," she said. "We do have a heritage to honor and a hope to keep kindled. Many countries look to America to set the example."
Jacquelyn Orton, wife of U.S. Rep. Bill Orton, D-Utah, said those who consider themselves to be responsible citizens need to actively participate in the process.
"It's important to vote but more important to know the people you're voting for," she said.
Orton said her husband always says, "Our government is only as good as you make it through your participation."
Orton and the Leavitts were part of an event sponsored by Nu Skin International, Novell, McDonald's and Banta designed to send a number of messages to Utahns by educating their children.
Bill Orton was called away to Washington, but that didn't daunt the spirits of those gathered in the sunshine to celebrate the right to vote in a free country. Nor did a traffic accident on the freeway that delayed several of the district buses nearly 30 minutes.
Children from each of the schools left written wishes on the trees set up on the steps, asking for everything from world peace and an end to hunger to more animal shelters and no more violence on the streets.
They sang. They repeated the Pledge of Allegiance, and many even had the chance to tour the Capitol building.
Marjean Bingham, principal of Edgemont Elementary, said for many, it was the first time they've ever been inside the grand edifice. Edgemont teachers are offering a whole series of lessons to their students about the process and the government.
"We're hoping the kids will go home and talk to their parents and spur a sort of local enthusiasm for the elections."
Krista Thornock, a teacher at Centennial Middle School, said each of the Timberwolves' "Wolf Packs" will be creating voting chains, choosing a single class wish and helping to decorate the Wish Tree planted outside the school by the student council.
She too said she hopes the lessons will go home. "We can't change adults, but we can create an awareness in these future voters " she said.
Susie Seehafer, an instructional facilitator at Westridge Elementary, said the students there also created a Wish Tree as well as posters for the kickoff.
Seehafer said Westridge students will get a real taste of voting when they vote for the menu items they prefer in the lunchroom. That'll be followed up in November when the students get to cast ballots for presidents and congressmen.
Spokesmen for the sponsoring organizations say the results will be released nationwide as schools across American participate in the effort to dispel voter apathy.