Merced students hold mock city government

FRESNO, Calif. -- Some elementary school students stepped into the role of their Merced city leaders for a day.

Second graders at Chenoweth Elementary participated in a mock city council meeting on Thursday. Each student was elected to their position last week. They chose a mayor, six council members, a city manager, and a city attorney. Then they took a field trip to the Merced Civic Center.

On the agenda, curbing graffiti. Students took turns stepping up to the podium, asking questions and voicing their concerns.

Aside from seeing how local government works, the kids learned about the real elected officials whose shoes they filled for the day.