Velma Veloria and Alice Coil co-teach political empowerment classes at South Seattle Community College. During the final class for this fall semester, Saturday, November 13th held at the Neighborhood House Highpoint Center, they had four groups of students in teams of three each present projects explaining why they are taking a stand on an issue and how they are trying to get support from the public for their cause. 

Each group presented its project in a mock press conference format. While some students were fighting for their issue in the "real world" while others were simply playing the role as a proponent of their issue.

Two members of the press and one seasoned student were invited to participate as part of the audience, to listen to the presentations, ask questions to challenge the students' propositions, and to offer feedback to the following each presentation. They were Steve Shay, Reporter and Photographer for the West Seattle Herald, Sara Lerner, Announcer and Reporter for KUOW 94.9 FM Puget Sound Public Radio, and SSCC student Heidi Park.

Below is the description of the different presentations made. They were to discuss, strategize, and prepare for the assigned projects:   
 
Group One-Mobilizing for educational reform.
 
You represent an organization lobbying for educational reform and for establishing charter schools in the State of Washington. 
 
Group Two-Responding to legal mandates.
 
You are board members of West Seattle Public Schools.  You are issuing a public statement to respond to a new House Bill that mandates decreasing k-12 class size to a ratio of 12 students: 1 teacher.  This effort is supported by the teachers union.

Group Three-Supporting and introducing new taxes.

You belong to a coalition of legislators who are proposing a Bill to introduce state income tax as a viable solution to fund public services and education.  Take into consideration that the majority of your voters are against tax increases.
 
Group four: Petitioning to School Board about offering Halal products to students.
 
Meals served at public school cafeterias and even hand-soaps are forbidden items according to Halal standards.   Muslim students often bring their own food or skip a meal.  Young children in particular are treated differently and often feel isolated from their peers.  You are a group of concerned citizens and parents petitioning for the school board to offer Halal products in their building.

This is the third such class the West Seattle Herald was invited to participate in. We were flattered, and would like to thank Velma Veloria, Alice Coil and the South Seattle Community College.