University High students debate real-world issues in annual mock election debate

Every year, students from Tucson’s University High School, participate in a mock election debate.

Seniors in AP Government classes research political topics of personal interest, developing solutions to real-world problems in preparation for a two-round debate on foreign and domestic policy.

Each party presents its platform during opening statements, some covering the cost of living, renewable energy, education, and artificial intelligence.

Jacob Ollanik, a social studies teacher at UHS, describes the project as a sandbox for students to explore the possibilities beyond the two-party system.

“When I look at the platforms of these four parties, it’s pretty clear that each of them addresses the issues facing the world from a place of empathy, compassion, a desire to make the world more democratic, more equitable,” Ollanik said.

Each class period formed its own political party with elected leaders and over two months, campaigned for attention and votes from the junior class.

Students also participated in an inter-team debate, where parties had the opportunity to question one another.

Nona Abbker, a member of Party Cupid, noted that while the parties shared similar ideologies, their differing policies were surprising.

“Researching the conflicts related to the Middle East, like Iran, Palestine, Israel, even Algeria, that was really eye-catching,” Abbker said. “They’re all such complex issues and all the different perspectives that you had to take into account, really changed my whole outlook.”

Jack Feeney Muñoz, with Party Hollywood, echoed that statement.

“It was really interesting to see how large of an impact such a small investment into a country can make on a global stage and that really fascinated me,” Feeney Muñoz said.

Milla Eiklenborg, with Casino Royal, said she felt unbiased prior to the debate.

“A group of high schoolers can’t solve all the world’s problems like together in a room,” Eiklenborg said. “I think that it just like made me aware of how complicated everything is.”

Serena Rezende Tsao, with Party Polaris, said she went into the project with her own views.

“I ended up doing a lot of research specifically into the Russia-Ukraine War and the different nuances that happened there because while reporting on there has been very specific and very targeted, it’s left out part of the bigger picture,” Rezende Tsao said. “Reading governmental reports and all that stuff has really allowed me to see more of the scope of the picture.”

In his closing statement, Dr. Gabriel Trujillo, Superintendent of the Tucson Unified School District and debate moderator, praised students for their research.

“You have to read materials before you vote, you have to research and educate yourself on the issues and it requires grace and it requires kindness as you listen and embrace other points of view, other people’s beliefs and opinions, and attitudes even if those don’t necessarily align with your own,” Trujillo said.

For the 47th year of debates, Party Polaris won with 52% of the vote while Party Cupid, Casino Royal, and Hollywood, split the remainder.

The UHS junior class had a voter turnout rate of 83.7% – 200 out of 239 students.

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