When U.S. Sen. Angus King, I - Maine, visited Boothbay Region High School on Nov. 3, he was asked about the upcoming election. While he wouldn’t tell his audience who he was voting for, he had this to say about the atmosphere surrounding the campaign: “The anger and division is something I’ve never seen before and it won’t end with the election. If I could change anything about this country, I would soften the tone of the debates.”

To help future voters learn how to keep calm and carry on, BRHS advanced placement language and composition instructor Mark Gorey, supported by technology instructor Barbara Greenstone and BRHS librarian Jo Haney and a host of community members, worked with students from two of his classes on how to master the art of civil discourse.

Gorey had the students focus on how tailoring web services to consumers affects what information Internet users are exposed to; a second question: “How can we make strong arguments and express opinions while remaining respectful of those with opposing ideas? Does civil discourse matter? Why? And, finally, How do citizens make informed decisions at the polls?”

Students tackled three topics: the Boothbay roundabout issue; State Question One on the legalization of marijuana; and the presidential election, where students adopted the policies of candidates Hillary Clinton, Democrat; Donald Trump, Republican; Jill Stein, Green Party; and Gary Johnson, Liibertarian. Gorey was careful to point out that, “Whom they were representing did not necessarily embody their personal viewpoints regarding political choices.”

Students representing roundabout yes included Isabelle Curtis, Page Brown, Julie Roberts and Max Hoecker. Roundabout No featured Graham Bryer, Hailey Greenleaf and Kyle Ames.

Question One: The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana featured, on the yes side, ReAnna Heino, Lillian Sherburne, Sydney Meader and Kylie Michael. The no side included Nick Simpson, Elijah Gudroe, Madeleine McLellan and Cameron Crocker.

Presidential candidates were represented by Evy Case as Trump, Sydney Mercier and Jake Brewer as Johnson; Summer Chamberlin as Clinton; and Jay Hasch and Victoria Morin as Stein.

Community members assisting the students throughout the semester included Boothbay Rotarians Vic Taylor, Chip Griffin and Bill Bailey, who listened to student arguments and offered feedback on opening themes, logic, use of evidence, and on slides the students prepared to back arguments; Boothbay selectmen Dale Harmon, Douglas Burnham and Steven Lewis, and Edgecomb state representative candidate Stuart Smith, who presented their views on the debate topics; and author, professor and Boothbay resident Fred Kaplan, who gave students his perspectives.

Finally, on Friday, Nov. 4, a debate took place in the BRHS gymnasium. Moderated by Southport Selectman Smith Climo, and wired and videoed by Boothbay Region Community Television Channel 7, the civil discourse participants sat at winged tables that flanked a large screen to be used for slides. Wire, microphones, and people bustled here and there, checking sound and visuals. Students and adults filed in and pounded up the bleachers to find seats. While the atmosphere was chaotic, the young debate participants displayed remarkable composure.

Each argument began with an opening statement and each side made its case. A “Crossfire” portion allowed each side to question the other's positions. Audience members were then allowed one question each, and finally, a closing statement brought a debate topic to a close. The debate remained calm, thoughtful and civil, and lasted for about an hour and a half.

ReAnna Heino, who helped represent Yes on Question One, said, “I applaud my classmates’ courage,” and added, “I’ve been shaking all day!”

IGorey thanked all who had helped during the semester, saving his students for last, saying simply, “They did a great job. I’m proud of them.”