Student Leadership Johns Creek Hosts Successful Candidate Debate

Editor's note: the following was written by Northview High School students Aniruddha Gupta and Kaitlyn Jung

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- On Sept. 18, the Secretary of State Ambassadors (Vanisha Kudumuri, Adiva Dutta, Olivia Logan, Sarah McWhirter, Kriti Kothari, Kaitlyn Jung, Aniruddha Gupta, Nathaniel Alemayehu and Caroline Custis) representing Student Leadership Johns Creek hosted a Mayoral - City Council Debate for all qualified candidates to attend.

This event was proposed to the students by Irene Sanders, the program’s executive director, as a way to incorporate voter registration with council-level politics, a great blend for the voters of the next generation. This mayoral-council debate idea consisted of two main goals: to stress the importance of voting and to increase awareness of the politics at the council and mayoral levels. The expertise and guidance from Judy LeFave, coupled with the coordination and organization by Sanders, fostered this event’s success, bypassing anyone’s expectations.

The Secretary of State Student Ambassadors from Student Leadership Johns Creek formulated questions for City Council posts 1, 3, and 5 and the mayoral race. The moderators randomly selected questions to ask each candidate for city council posts. The questions relating to the mayoral race were separate from the city council questions. The Student Ambassadors chose to have moderators for each of the four seats up for election. The candidates were seated by post and in alphabetical order. Each candidate was given a notepad and pen to assist them in the debate, but were not allowed to bring additional notes with them on stage. The moderators proceeded with questions, allowing a total of three questions for each candidate.

In choosing the debate format, each candidate was afforded the opportunity to answer more that just their three questions. Each question asked was allotted a one-minute answer from the directed candidate, followed by a one minute reply from the opponent, and then a thirty second rebuttal from the candidate, for whom the question was initially directed. For candidates whose opponents could not attend the debate, a two-minute answer was permitted.

The Post 3 race has three candidates, so the Student Ambassadors organized a system in which a candidate could choose whom to challenge before the question was read. The timers notified the candidates of time remaining by holding up signs indicating the amount of time left. One of the Student Ambassadors was responsible for recording the debate (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

The day of the event, the Secretary of State Ambassadors strolled in with jittery-nerves, but confidence all the same. The tables were set up with the respective posts and candidates’ names, and the seating area for the moderators and timers and manager were immaculately placed so as to be able to communicate subtly with each. The event started off with a meet and greet, where the Ambassadors filmed short videos documenting a short conversation as to why the running candidates believed voting was important. The arrival of the audience began in the commons area, which was filled with pickets and posters and shirts advertising the candidates.

The event proceeded smoothly. The candidates gave their answers to the questions asked by the moderators. The smallest to more significant of details were kept in mind. At the end of the event, the candidates expressed their awe at the advanced questions and gratitude for the turnout.

Hosting this debate was a great way for residents of Johns Creek to find out more about the candidates running in this year’s election and possibly find the best candidate for them. It was a great opportunity for the candidates to explain their policies and beliefs. In turn, it was also a great opportunity for the residents to hear who is knowledgeable and solution-oriented to step up into the role of a City Council Member. All of the qualified candidates were invited to participate.

Due to a scheduling conflict, mayoral candidate Marchetti was unable to attend and Post 5 candidate Chris Jackson had an emergency situation arise, causing his absence as well. With the absences of Marchetti and Jackson, "there is a challenge for the residents to learn more about these two candidates and their positions on the issues facing the city of Johns Creek."

"We encourage all residents to do their homework and be educated voters," the students said.

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The debate truly personified the uniqueness of American democracy-power derived from the people. Executing such a feat was initially a daunting task, however, the students felt pleased to have learned much from the process.

The Ambassadors learned not only how to coordinate such an event, but also about the issues Johns Creek faces. The SLJC Secretary of State Ambassadors are grateful for Irene Sanders and Judy LeFave for the guidance they provided and the platform they gave the students to be part of something important in their community.

For more information, Sanders at sanders@leadershipjohnscreek.com, 404-406-0480 or visit the website. You can also view the entire debate on the organization's YouTube page.

Images via Student Leadership Johns Creek