Mr. Lanner’s History vs. Hollywood class went on a field trip to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on October 13. Students analyzed a packet containing information about the election and were separated into groups with students from other schools where they shared thoughts and opinions on the candidates and their policies. Following this activity, students sat down and witnessed a debate between Democratic State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry (Boston) and Republican State Representative Geoff Diehl (Whitman) over important topics of this election.

Students were encouraged to give hard hitting questions to the politicians in front of them, making the debate quite interesting and enjoyable to watch. It was a real breath of fresh air after the typical mud-slinging seen in the current presidential debates. At the end of the debate, students filled out a survey sheet asking them who they favored after going on the field trip. The results of the survey showed that many people in the room who did not know who to support before the debate, gladly picked sides.

According to the results of the exit questionnaire, 58 percent of the respondents thought Senator Forry’s arguments were more persuasive and 49 percent favored Hillary Clinton for president after the debate, while 18 percent favored Donald Trump; 28 percent remained undecided, while the remaining respondents favored a third party candidate.

Immigration was a hot button issue with one attendee commenting: “The Democratic debater (Forry) brought out how Trump dislikes immigrants entering the U.S. even though his wife is an immigrant.” While another attendee  said, “Immigrants started this country, and they shouldn’t be blocked from coming now.”

AHS student on the trip were: Nick Baxter, Kayce Deangelis, Meghan Doherty, Juviana Dossantos, Shane Gaffney (this writer) Tom Gillis, Caleb Good, Jenna Gorman, Cade Kernen, Dylan Little, Luke Martini, Cole McMahon, Scott Neville, Jackson Steele and Dillon Stephan. School Librarian Mrs. Crowley also attended.