Select students to meet President Obama

HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- With less than a month before the presidential election, a few Mater Academy students have been selected to meet the President.

"I mean, if I see him, I probably will get nervous; I wouldn't know what to say. I'll shake his hand and be like, 'You're the President,'" said Jonathan Riveras.

The entire senior class at Mater Academy is participating in a mock debate and campaign. Their social studies teacher said the presidential campaign is getting students excited about politics. "Now. when I ask questions about the debate, I have a lot more hands shooting up," said Idelsy Schaub Llanes.

Her students agree. "As time passed, we all feel very strongly about whatever it is we're defending; we all want to win," said Carolyn Martinez.

While not everyone can agree on a candidate, they agree on the importance of the right to vote. "I'm an American citizen, and my parents are now American citizens, but they were born in a country where they didn't have the right to vote," said Arlene Cordoves

The students all stress the importance of being an active voter during elections. "It does matter, and voting is a privilege that they should practice," said Riveras.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama made an appearance at the University of Miami, followed by a fundraiser at the JW Marriott in Downtown Miami. The students were scheduled to meet the president in between the two events.

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