MIDDLETOWN — International affairs and random drug testing for students were on the minds of Vail Middle School students Thursday who questioned two Butler County legislators during an assembly.

        Ohio Reps. Gary Cates R-West Chester Township, and Shawn Webster, R-Hanover Township, spoke with Vail's eighth-graders as part of the Back to School Week sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislators. Elected officials are urged to meet with students in their districts.

        “We try to get into the schools because a lot of kids don't have a focus on state events. I'm not sure (they) know what we do. They hear about national or international ones,” Mr. Webster said.

        “This gives us an idea of what's on kids' minds. The only thing that surprised me was how many questions there were on international events,” he said.

        After explaining what they did when the House was in session, the legislators took questions from the students. Many questions centered on events related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and ensuing war on terrorism. They were interested in knowing whether Osama bin Laden was still alive and why President Bush was so interested in Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

        “Middle-school students will tell you what is on their mind very clearly,” said Principal Kathy DiBlasi.

        “The terrorist attack is still on their mind,” she said. “What has gone in our world has impact for our kids. Sometimes we don't give them credit for knowing what's going on outside their world — outside Middletown.”

        Mr. Cates told students that he didn't know if Mr. bin Laden was alive, “but if he's alive, he's well-hidden and if he's dead, no one has proof of it.”

        Besides questions on international events, the teens were interested in the debate they've heard about random drug testing for student-athletes or those participating in extracurricular activities. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it constitutional, but few high schools in Southwest Ohio randomly test students, in part because of the cost involved.

        “We want to know what's going on. It's important to us; something we're worried about,” said Natasha Sharma, 13.

        Andrea Shepherd, 14, said she found the assembly interesting because the questions about international affairs and other topics were things on her mind.

        “Some of the questions other students asked were going through my head, too,” Andrea said.

        When Mr. Cates asked the students what was important to them, one boy was quick to respond: “Girls!” Other classmates cited music, education and their families.

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