Manchester students talk politics on MTV

MANCHESTER – Some fresh, local faces are coming to MTV.

The news arm of Music Television was at Central High School yesterday to discuss education, politics and why the two seem to rarely cross paths on the presidential campaign trail.

"I can't think of a more important issue than education, and yet it's such a huge thing to kind of wrap your arms around," said MTV news correspondent John Norris, who led a one-hour discussion with about 60 juniors and seniors in the library.

The event, portions of which will be broadcast at www.think.mtv.com and possibly on MTV newscasts, was co-sponsored by Strong American Schools' ED in '08 campaign.

Politics played a part in yesterday's discussion, but education took the lead role.

At Norris' prodding, students grabbed microphones and offered their take on what schools do well and where they fall short.

Every student said they were bound for college. But just one girl showed interest in becoming a teacher, and she was wavering.

"When younger people get out of college, they want the higher paying jobs," said Sarah Gersten. "The financing just isn't there."

Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand, who sits on the ED in '08 advisory board in New Hampshire, joined Norris yesterday. He said ideas like housing subsidies, loan forgiveness and better pay to make teaching more attractive haven't gained traction.

"We're trying everything, and it's not enough," he said. "We need young people to get fired up."

Students debated the merit of longer school days and offered insight into why kids drop out. They also discussed their favorite teachers.

"They care about you as an individual," said Shawn Connolly. "You say, 'OK, he gets me.'"

Buddy McQuade said high expectations yield strong teacher evaluations.

"The hardest classes that I've taken and the (hardest) teachers are the ones I've liked the most," he said.

Kaitlin Kennedy said she'd love to see presidential candidates hold similar forums with students, most of whom will be eligible to vote for the first time next November, but wondered how much information would come out.

"They are so good at sidestepping questions that you're not going to get the answer you want anyway," she said.

MTV and ED in '08 recently held a similar forum in Iowa and plan another in South Carolina.

"It's been amazing," said Norris, as the session wrapped up. "I only wish that instead of just Steve and I, that it was Barack and Hillary and Rudy and Mitt."

Afterward, Little Green editor-in-chief Emily Weinberg, fresh from her own interview of Norris, said she's confident students would push candidates for specific answers to questions.

"It think it would be definitely more heated," she said.

Yesterday's session, said Weinberg, had value in its own right. "I feel it was a great opportunity for students to just say what they feel."

ED in '08 deputy press secretary Liz Snyder said Central students didn't disappoint.

"I was really impressed with how they were able to take a broader perspective and bring it into their personal lives," she said.