Mount Erie Elementary School sixth-graders created the symbol of a star with a leopard representing strength and justice for a new political party — the Justice Party.

There’s a new party entering the political arena — the Justice Party.

It’s symbol is a star with a leopard representing strength and justice.

Its slogan is “Fight for what’s right.”

And its backers are 11-year-olds.

Students in Peter Donaldson’s Mount Erie Elementary School sixth-grade social studies classes are in the midst of their own political election as they also follow the current presidential election.

Earlier this month, students completed campaign job applications in preparation for their own primary last week.

Emma Craft signed up for either an advertising artist or secretary position.

“I like to draw so I’d like doing the artist,” she said.

She plans to use red, white and blue in her designs.

The sixth-graders brainstormed a list of campaign jobs, including campaign manager assistant, technical advisor, treasurer/accountant, pollster, speech writer, clerical help/secretary, advertising manager and advertising team (print and video/radio).

The students will have their own presidential election, complete with speeches, posters and even a debate.

“The leopard shows strength and the star shows justice,” Marit Yarusso said of the team’s symbol.

The Justice Party was one of several new parties the students devised.

The sixth-grade mock election, one of several election-related studies in the district, helps students see the inner workings of a campaign — and get a better understanding of the current presidential election, Donaldson said.

His classroom is covered in election paraphernalia.

Newspaper articles are pinned near the door, a side wall has a list of reasons for the Electoral College and the back wall is adorned with an “Election 2008” sign along with photos of party candidates, a poster explaining the branches of the government and copies of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence. A map of the country has pins in it for each city the candidates have visited with a nearby list of how many electoral votes each state has.

Donaldson said combining a simulated presidential election in the classroom while also teaching kids about the actual election helps them better understand the process.

It also gives parents and kids the chance to talk about real life and school.

“One of the most interesting things I’ve seen so far is that the students are more motivated to talk about and learn about something they may not otherwise be interested in,” he said.

One boy even rode his bike to buy a newspaper and shared the article with his family, Donaldson said.

“That’s perfect,” he said.

Students have spent time learning about the process and checked out the two major candidates’ Web sites to decide who to vote for.

Yarusso said she looked at areas like education and taxes.

“Which one we like the ideas best we choose,” she said.

Amber Writer has also been watching Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain on television.

“My family watches the debates and talks about it,” she said. “We talk about their differences.”

Yarusso said one difference is Obama wants to withdraw troops from Iraq and McCain wants to send more.

Cameron Burgess said the war is one reason he plans to vote for Obama.

“I don’t like McCain that much. He’s going to send more troops and that’s not good for families,” he said.

Craft also watched some of the debates and plans to vote for McCain.

“I feel he’s more experienced,” she said.

It is interesting tracking the candidates’ travels, she said, looking back at the map.

“McCain doesn’t go to New York much because it’s a Democratic state,” she said.

The students’ study of the election will culminate with a vote. The sixth-graders will get copies of a real state ballot and “cast” their own votes Nov. 4.