Civic Engagement on Full Display at Quadrennial Mock Primary Election Program
The quadrennial Mock Primary Election (MPE) program for Middle and Upper School students took place on April 16. During the half-day event, students explored the importance of civic engagement through activities that inspired students and faculty to consider the myriad local, state, national, and global topics worth learning and thinking deeply about as engaged citizens. This MFS tradition has taken place since 1960 during a U.S. Presidential Election year and has taken on many different formats since its inception.
This year’s program kicked off with keynote remarks by Eric Marsh, Sr., Manager of Community Engagement for WHYY. He set the tone for the day during an interactive talk which highlighted his personal story while also sharing wisdom and advice for students about how to make a difference in their communities based on his personal experiences.
He explained to the audience that the word ‘politics’ has origins from Aristotle’s work and the ancient Greek term Politiká, or the “affairs of the cities.” He discussed the importance of “showing up.” “How do you show up in your community?” he queried students. Eric summarized his growth from being a single father to becoming involved in his children’s school, then a school advisory council, to eventually becoming active in work for school reform in Philadelphia, culminating in him becoming the Director of Community Relations for the City of Philadelphia.
Since 2020, he has been employed by WHYY. “We are trying to build the muscle of civic dialogue,” said Eric. “It is important to discuss topics, even if we disagree.” This was another theme he drove home to students – the importance of exposing oneself to differing opinions and ideas – and listening, even when you don’t agree with what is being said. He used the analogy of 3D glasses – different perspectives provide deeper understanding of the world around you.
His remarks included other poignant stories and analogies to frame for students the importance of embracing differences of all kinds while working to build stronger communities.
“How can you be the change that you want to see?” Eric challenged students.
The remarks were an appropriate lead-in to two sessions of workshops planned and led entirely by students, faculty, and staff (see the entire list of workshops below). The program concluded for Upper School students with a healthy debate and discussion about the TikTok ban being considered by the U.S. Congress, moderated by Upper School Director Noah Rachlin.
MPE Workshops for Middle School Only
- AI Concerns
- Immigration: The Undocumented Journey
- The Supreme Court
- Your Tax Dollars in Action
- Women’s Rights
MPE Workshops for Middle and Upper School
- Capital Punishment: A Death Penalty Debate
- Crime and Criminal Justice in the United States
- Empathizing Across the Aisle
- Gerrymandering
- Healthcare for All: Exploring Global Challenges and Solutions
- Latin American Political Cinema
- LGBTQIA+ Rights: Navigating the Current Political Backlash
- Media Bias and Politics
- Political Humor
- School Funding
- Making a World of Difference
- The National Debate Over Reproductive Rights
- US Foreign Policy
- The Business of Sports Betting is Booming (and Concerning)!
- You Have the Right…to be You!
- Saving Philly’s Chinatown
- Taxes: How They Work and Why They Divide US
- Your School, Your Press: How to Amplify Your Voice by Writing Great Letters to the Editor