Civics class forum a learning experience for all

Due to the upcoming election, the senior civics class at Kimball High School helped to better inform the public by hosting a political forum on Thursday, Oct. 20. The idea was to give the students, as well as members of the community a chance to meet and speak with the candidates for local races.

The forum was attended by the candidates to represent district #47 in the Nebraska Legislature, Karl Elmshaeuser and Steve Erdman; city council candidates James Shields, John Morrison, and Kim Baliman; County Commissioner Tim Nolting; school board candidates Heather Norberg, Carrie Tabor, and Clint Cornils; and Doug Lukassen, a representative from the Kimball Agriculture Society.

The night officially kicked off at 6 p.m. with questions the civics students had taken from citizens around Kimball for Elmshaeuser and Erdman. Both of the candidates were given the chance to answer the seven questions on topics such as Medicaid, how to help rural communities, tax relief, property taxes, and how to help rural school districts. Afterward, Erdman and Elmshaeuser along with the other local candidates stuck around for snacks and drinks courtesy of the civics students as well as questions from members of the community.

Students and fellow Kimball citizens learned a lot from the experience. Even Kimball High School’s civics teacher, Jeri Ferguson, learned from the experience. “I thought it was great the state candidates took the time to come, and I thought what they said was very interesting.” She also added, “I was very proud of my seniors. They looked and acted professional, and they did well putting the forum together. It was also neat to watch the juniors visit one-on-one with candidates.”