LEHMAN TWP. — The derogatory words used by the presidential candidates is a ploy to capture media attention, said 15-year-old Stephanie Chaga, a sophomore at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School.

If so, the political gimmick achieved its goal.

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been in the spotlight since they tossed their names in the political race. But some of the language used by both candidates could be considered risqué for a high school classroom.

Brian Gorski, Lake-Lehman social studies teacher, urges his students to discuss the candidates freely.

“I encourage them to speak their mind,” Gorski said. “I want them to feel free to speak as if they are at their kitchen table.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 26, students in two sophomore honors civics classes offered their opinions on the candidates, how disappointing their campaigns are and how their disparaging remarks paint a rueful image of America.

“The whole world is watching right now because it is such a huge election,” Hannah Patton, 16, said. “I don’t think other countries will take our president seriously if they (the candidates) call each other names or call the citizens of our country names.”

Patton was referencing a slew of slang and politically-incorrect language used by both candidates, such as when Clinton called a portion of Trump’s supporters “a basket of deplorables” and continued to describe them as “racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic” at a fundraiser in September.

Trump, on the other hand, has made numerous derogatory comments about military veterans, other nationalities and women.

He accused and called Clinton supporters “animals” following a fire that destroyed the North Carolina Republican headquarters earlier this month.

“It sort of makes other countries see us maybe like we are degrading and creating a new low of standards,” said 15-year-old Nick Fegely. “It paints a bad picture for the future of America.”

The candidates spend too much time digging up dirt on each for the debates, 15-year-old Jacob Prest said. He would have preferred to see them present more research on their plans for the country’s future.

When asked if he could vote, who would he choose, Prest answered, “I wouldn’t vote.”

Prest’s classmates agree.

“No serious topics are being covered. At this point it is just constantly them attacking each other,” Gabi Fitzgerald, 15, said.

“It (the presidential election) has been a mudslinging contest the entire time,” Fegely said. “It is a complete mess, unlike any other past elections.”

The students were studying election trends over the past 50 years in class on Tuesday. The patterns they detected could not provide any indication of the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

But the students are carefully watching, knowing their parents’ decisions will impact their future.

“I don’t think any of us should have to deal with the consequences of our parents’ actions and how they perceive the election,” said 16-year-old Angelina White. “We are the ones that will have to live in the world that is created.”

Brian Gorski, a social studies teacher at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School in Lehman Township, encourages his students to speak freely and express their concerns about the inappropriate language the 2016 Presidential candidates have used during their campaigns.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_20161025_084317.jpg.optimal.jpgBrian Gorski, a social studies teacher at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School in Lehman Township, encourages his students to speak freely and express their concerns about the inappropriate language the 2016 Presidential candidates have used during their campaigns. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post

Fifteen-year-old Stephanie Chaga, a sophomore in an honors civics class at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School, believes the presidential candidates’ disparaging remarks are a marketing tool to attract the media.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_20161025_091343.jpg.optimal.jpgFifteen-year-old Stephanie Chaga, a sophomore in an honors civics class at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School, believes the presidential candidates’ disparaging remarks are a marketing tool to attract the media. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post

Hannah Patton, 16, a student at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School, believes other countries will not respect the elected president after hearing the name calling and inappropriate behavior of the candidates.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_20161025_092228.jpg.optimal.jpgHannah Patton, 16, a student at Lake-Lehman Jr./Sr. High School, believes other countries will not respect the elected president after hearing the name calling and inappropriate behavior of the candidates. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post
Lake-Lehman sophomores talk about the election, though they can’t vote

By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews