Armstrong High School students moderate Richmond’s first student-run mayoral debate

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — All five Richmond mayoral candidates participated in the city’s first-ever student-run forum moderated by local high school students on Thursday.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Richmond Public Schools and Armstrong High School hosted the inaugural Henry L. Marsh Mayoral Forum, named after the former state Senator and first Black mayor of Richmond.

Candidates answered questions covering a range of topics, such as modernizing older school buildings, citywide crime and gun violence and each candidate’s vision for the city. Officials said the goal was to educate students, as well as new voters, on the importance of using their voice to spark change.

The Mayoral debate was moderated by AP Government students Renecia Allen and Zion Lundy. Both moderators and student presenter Ty’Asia Tolson-Wilkerson said it took weeks of preparation for the event.

“We practiced multiple times because, you know, we wanted it to be perfect, everything to be right and in place,” said Allen.

Armstrong student Amaria Martin said the debate opened her eyes to the importance of the democratic process.

“Having this event actually helped a lot about who I want to vote for, because it helped me see what they’re about, what they want to do, their perspectives,” said Martin.

Student Roman Pi said the forum shows that local elections are just as important as the state and national elections.

“The most important role of a mayor is to be active in listening to the community’s voices and make sure to be heard and for them to help as much as they could in the ways that the people needed,” said Pi.

School officials said Armstrong plans to host mayoral debates every four years for the foreseeable future.

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