For nearly 25 years, television personality Art Linkletter hosted a show where he interviewed children and shared their often surprising responses. Kids do ask the darnedest things. There’s a freedom from adult conventions that enables children to pose uniquely probing questions that can unsettle even professional politicians.
Culver City kids will have that opportunity when they face the seven candidates who are running for City Council at the Ask 2 Know Kids Forum next week, on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:45 in West L.A. College’s Fine Arts Theatre.
Only students will be allowed to ask questions – they will write some beforehand in their classes and put others directly to the candidates live at the forum. Students can also submit questions ahead of time to Ask 2 Know producer Michelle Mayans via mmayans@kidscoopmedia.org.
Ms. Mayans provides a sneak peak at some questions that have already been submitted: “Are you in favor or against the CCPD being required to use body cameras?” or “Would you fight on behalf of the citizens suffering from severe noise pollution from jets flying to LAX more frequently and at lower altitudes?
All Culver City students are invited to attend. There is no RSVP or ticket purchase required – the audience will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
La Rocco’s and Pieology pizza will be served, combined with a Sodapalooza tasting with sodas from around the world. In addition, 200 Pieology gift cards will be given out to Culver City kids who attend the Ask 2 Know kid forum and turn in a paragraph about the event.
Ask 2 Know is the brainchild of event producer Ms. Mayans, who came up with the idea after attending School Board candidate forums that she felt were neglecting the very people most affected by the School Board election – the students. Ms. Mayans held the first Ask 2 Know during the 2011 School Board race, and most recently for the 2015 School Board race. The past events were so popular that she decided to hold the first Ask 2 Know event with City Council candidates.
Ms. Mayans’s Kid Scoop Media company produces the Ask 2 Know forums and other events that bring students together with celebrities, athletes, politicians, authors, musicians, including interviews with President Obama and Vice President Biden. These one of a kind opportunities give children exposure to enriching life experiences positive role models, and the chance to express themselves and shape their future.
Teachers or students interested in participating in an ‘Ask 2 Know’ event can email Ms. Mayans at mmayans@kidscoopmedia.org.
