Matt Clewett and Morgan Parmer truly believe in the youth vote.

And as eighth graders at Pine Middle School, they're starting especially young.

In an effort to show students how politics really work, Clewett and Parmer, along with their student leadership class at Pine, helped put together a mock town hall debate in their school auditorium Friday.

Second District Congressional candidates Democrat Jill Derby and Republican incumbent Dean Heller, as well as Assembly District 31 candidate Bernie Anderson, attended the debate, answering questions about how they got their start in politics and what their party platforms stand for.

"With the election coming up, we felt students need to know more about politics and how it all works," Clewett said, explaining they have been planning this event since September in conjunction with a mock election to be held Oct. 27.

"So we asked ourselves," Parmer added, " 'What really is politics?' "

And as the halls began to buzz with students rushing to grab seats with Obama and McCain campaign posters decorating classroom fronts, it seemed election fever had already hit.

"We want to get kids fired up, so they can go and get their parents out to vote," said Careyn Hallstrom, the student leadership teacher at Pine, mentioning that the entire program was put together and coordinated by the students. "To be able to see the politicians, this brings it to a more personal level."

Candidates were asked questions by debate moderators Clewett and Morgan, allowing for explanations of pertinent issues such as job security and the rise of home foreclosures and more general topics like why it is important for people to get involved in politics.

"This is one of the most important elections of our lifetime," Derby said to the crowd of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, referencing both state and presidential races. "Get involved. You can make a difference, one person makes a difference."

Incumbent Heller, following up with the importance of voting, urged students to tell their parents to vote.

"Personal responsibility is an important part of this country," Heller said. "I think you can all make a difference in this election if you go home and tell your parents to vote."

After the debate, students were encouraged to meet and talk to all three candidates, with many crowding around asking for autographs and pictures, before hurrying off to their next class.

"This is great," Derby said. "Just the chance to connect with young people. They are the future leaders of America."

Heller echoed Derby's sentiments, adding the need for youth empowerment.

"Teaching children the political process is a benefit for everyone," Heller said.

And after the under-an-hour assembly, student leadership participants felt confident they had helped their fellow classmates understand some of the workings of the political realm.

"It makes you feel like a leader," said Megan Lloyd, an 8th grader. "And it makes you want to be a better person."