Memphis, TN (9/12/2008) – Memphis Jewish High School 11th grade student Parker Mantell (team captain), along with teammates and classmates Courtney Thomas, Logan Belz (student body president) and Jake Tobey participated in the Teen and Politics Forum at the University of Mississippi this past week.  They were assisted by Team Coaches Libbee Clifford (MJHS Government & Economics teacher) and Becky Pharr (MJHS college guidance counselor).  The discussion was one of several events leading up to the Sept. 26 presidential debate at Ole Miss between Democrat Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. A panel of eight young women and five young men was selected by editors of Memphis-based Justine magazine

Fourteen students were selected for the panel based on their resumes and two essays.  Nashville and Memphis represented Tennessee cities; the Memphis schools represented were the Memphis Jewish High School, White Station High School and St. Mary’s.  In addition there were two Ole Miss students on the panel and the remainder of the students were from various Mississippi towns.  “It was an informative and lively discussion that truly inspired everyone’s faith in this upcoming generation,” said Dr. Elizabeth McBride, MJHS head of school.

MJHS student Parker Mantell was the first panel member to respond to the moderator’s question concerning the war  Due to his research and preparation, and the support provided by his classmates, Parker’s answers were insightful and to the point.