Red, white and blue balloons fell on more than 200 children who gathered Tuesday at the Cincinnati Art Museum to celebrate one of Americans' most privileged rights — the right to vote.

        The fourth- through sixth-graders from Kilgour School in Hyde Park, Parham School in Walnut Hills, Dater Montessori in Westwood and Mercy Montessori Center in East Walnut Hills participated in the kickoff celebration of the annual Kids Voting season.

Students from four schools reach for dropping balloons Tuesday at the Kids Voting kickoff. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The importance of voting was stressed by Mayor Charlie Luken during a rally. The children, who received campaign literature from the mayor and other City Council members, also sang “God Bless America” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

        They also filled out mock ballots that asked them, for example, whether recess should be phased out after the fourth grade and whether they should have to take proficiency tests.

        “We definitely want to show our support for Kids Voting because it's a great cause,” said Alissa Cone, the museum's public relations coordinator.

        Kids Voting promotes citizenship and offers free citizenship lessons to schools in Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties. There are chapters in Kentucky and Indiana, too.

        During the 2000 campaign year, the national effort touched 38 states, 5 million students, 6,000 schools and 200,000 teachers.

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