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Delegates Squeak by Kids at Mall of America(R)'s 'Kids Stump the Delegates' Game Show
Delegates Squeak by Kids at Mall of America(R)'s 'Kids Stump the Delegates' Game Show
Published 09-03-08
Submitted by Mall of America
BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The tension was palpable as six RNC delegates pitted against six 6th graders from Oakwood Grove Middle School in Bloomington, Minn. this morning answered questions in rapid fire succession in a "Stump the Delegates" game at Nickelodeon Universe(R) inside Mall of America(R).
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080903/AQW582)
Participants were put to the test with questions like "Who said, 'Walk softly and carry a big stick'?" Although both teams buzzed in quickly with Theodore Roosevelt, they were stumped with where the quote originated. The answer? In a speech given at the Minnesota State Fair.
The two teams were neck and neck until the final bonus round when the delegates pulled out all the stops to answer correctly, "Who said, 'Hello Neil and Buzz. I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room in the White House'?" The kids scrambled but couldn't come up with President Richard Nixon for the win. "The quotes were hard for us and we didn't study those as much," said Jabari Lawrence, one of the 6th graders participating. But added, "I was disappointed we lost at first but I have a football game this afternoon so hopefully we'll win that."
Oakwood Grove Middle School principal Brian Ingemann said it was a great real-life experience for the kids. "We teach academics every day in the classroom, but for these kids to meet and go up against real delegates it was such a great lesson in active citizenship."
More than 30 fellow students, parents and teachers came out to cheer on their favorite team and wave American flags. In the end the delegates beat the students 250 to 220 in a final showdown. "We had so much fun playing against the kids. It was just great," said Nevada delegate Serena Goldstock.
Competing RNC delegates:
- Mike from Dubuque, Iowa: The youngest delegate at the RNC. He turns 18 on October 31!
- Jack from Bridgeport, Conn.: Was a Republican state senator in Pennsylvania for eight years.
- Mike from Glastonbury, Conn.: A member of the Connecticut Republican State Central Committee and also served on the Bush/Cheney finance committee in 2004.
- Michelle from Cranston, R.I.: Is getting married Oct. 4, three weeks after the convention.
- Serena from Las Vegas, Nev.: Has been a vegan for more than 20 years.
- Margaret from Bloomington, Minn.: Lives right next door to Oak Grove Middle School!
- Jabari: He doesn't play video games
- Beryl: Loves warriors and cheese
- Chris: Loves to watch the Packers on the weekends
- Rachel: Collects candy wrappers
- Michael: Loves to study hurricanes
- Ben: Favorite subject is math
Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. The 4.2 million square foot complex is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor family amusement park; Underwater Adventures(R) Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; a 14-screen movie theater and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. For more information visit mallofamerica.com
