A mock presidential debate will be held at George School on Friday, October 22 in Walton Auditorium at 9:50 a.m. The viewpoints of President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry will each be represented by a team of three students. Another team of three students will represent the points of view of independent presidential candidates. The history faculty have given the teams the same set of questions on domestic social issues, domestic economic issues, and the topic of national security. The students will research and prepare their answers in advance.

The participating students volunteered to represent candidates of their choice after an open invitation was extended to the entire student body. Each team has been assigned a faculty sponsor who will serve as a resource as the students do their research.

The format of the debate, said history teacher Danny Kerr, creates "an opportunity for furthering education" because it allows students to learn about multiple facets of each candidate's viewpoint. There will be time at the end of the debate for the audience to ask questions. The mock debate will be followed a week later by a mock presidential election for the George School community.

About George School
George School, founded in 1893 by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), teaches that each person shares a responsibility for helping to make the world a better place. The student body is diverse, representing twenty states and thirty foreign countries and a variety of ethnic, racial, religious, academic, and economic backgrounds. Each year more than $4 million in need-based financial aid is provided to eligible students.