As part of their presidential research projects, AHS honors English students also watched the GOP debate on MSNBC, heard a presentation on government from Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia), and participated in a mock election conducted by Probate Judge Ben Bowden. (See related story)

“I feel like the project opened all of our eyes,” said Cole Bush, who plans to pursue a career in engineering and automotive design, but would like to use those skills as a lobbyist.

“It’s very important to be involved,” he said. “The country is not going to get any better if nobody participates in its progression. I think it opened all of our views, and made us look inwardly at what we believe in.”

Charlie Brock said he learned that all candidates have good and bad qualities.

“I think you have to choose the better of two evils. Everybody found something bad on their candidate.”

“We all learned to get along,” Browder said, adding that though their opinions on Clinton are opposite, “I love hearing what Belle has to say.”

Thompson said the students learned to argue effectively.

“Initially, they didn’t want to look at valid sources,” she said. “They weren’t allowed to use

FOX or MSNBC. Not even CNN.”

Instead, they used the Alabama Virtual Library.

In the beginning, most students’ based their positions on pro-life or same-sex marriage.

“I wanted them to learn to think beyond those two issues,” Thompson said.

In the process, they researched immigration, foreign policies, the economy, equality, and health care.

“So it was a very intelligent research,” she said. “It was fun for me to watch them grow and mature.”