While adults wrestled with choices in this week’s presidential and local elections, students as young as kindergarteners were also making monumental decisions.

At Northlake Christian School, the students in the elementary grades K-6 were learning about the democratic process and what voting really means.

To accentuate the importance of the right many adults under utilize and take for granted, the students were making their own decisions. Instead of echoing parents’ decisions as to Barack Obama or John McCain, the teachers and administrators wanted the students to get an opportunity to make a real decision for themselves.

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Two parties were involved, the Chocolate Party, whose candidate was M&Ms; and the Sugar Party, represented by Skittles. Rumors also abounded about a third party write-in candidate, Snickers, although the rumor was apparently unsubstantiated.

Elementary school Principal Brenda Williamson said the Student Senate, 32 students nominated by their teachers, made the voting booths, campaign signs and other election preparations. The students are from all grade levels and participate with the guidance of Student Senate Advisor Missie Arnold.

The use of the candy choices were not a metaphor for anyone; it was simply something familiar the children could relate to and make a decision on, said fifth-grade teacher Carly Diggs. In addition to the balloting on Monday, students researched things like the history of each candy and how to vote absentee.

Diggs gave information about her candidate M&Ms to sway voters during carpool such as, M&Ms went to the moon with the astronauts and fought during World War II, and M&M’s, a veteran in its own right.

Northlake’s headmaster Dr. Joey Shorter said the candy has only the good kind of fat and carbohydrates. Shorter was voting for his son, who was absent. Like many local leaders, Shorter voted early, setting the example for the rest of the school.

Each student was given a card that they placed in the slot of their candidate while inside the booth. For the occasion, students were allowed to wear red, white, and blue instead of their uniforms.

Four teachers were dressed as their candidates during car pool, greeting students and passing out sample packs of their candidate of choice. The four teachers were Karen Draffen, Missie Arnold, Carla Diggs and Jill Charles.

Each class was escorted to the voting by their teacher. And, by the way, M&M’s was the big winner, 172-163 or 51 percent to 49 percent.