Middle and High School students are rarely included in political forums because only a small portion are old enough to vote, and their turnout at the polls is usually less than robust.

That changes when City Council candidates answer students’ questions at the ‘Ask 2 Know’ event Wednesday, March 14, 6:45 PM at The Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation. Only students will be allowed to ask questions -- they will write some beforehand in their classes and put others directly to all six candidates live at the forum.

A mystery celebrity guest will moderate the panel. Questions will cover a range of concerns among the students, including education, healthcare, the economy and the environment.

There will be free pizza at the forum and a very exciting “sodapalooza” tasting with 30 sodas from around the world. A silent auction will also take place to raise money for Claire's Place Foundation, a nonprofit started by Claire Wineland, a 13 year-old former Culver City resident with cystic fibrosis.

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, with an optional $4 donation requested.

Culver City High School teacher Genevieve Rolfe is offering credit to High School Seniors in her Government class for participating in the event. “Young people today are interested, they're listening. They are engaged,” said Rolfe. "They know that the world they are about to inherit must change, and they must be that change.”

Other teachers or students interested in participating in the 'Ask 2 Know' can email their request to ask2knowla@gmail.com.

The first ‘Ask 2 Know’ was a packed-house event at The Actors’ Gang on October 26, 2011, where students got the chance to question Culver City School Board candidates. ‘Ask 2 Know’ is the brainchild of event producer Michelle 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.

“If you build a field they will come. I believe kids really do care about issues,” Mayans told Culver City Crossroads. “They just need to be allowed to care and be heard.”

Mayans’ goal is to involve students by making politics more fun and interesting for them – and everyone else – while still being respectful to the candidates and the electoral process. She often invites celebrities to moderate the events, and adds entertainment to attract students. The School Board forum in October was hosted by Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser (Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide) and included a Willy Wonka on stilts, The Real Princesses, and The Angel City Derby Girls.

‘Ask 2 Know’ is affiliated with Michelle Mayan’s Kid Scoop Media company, which produces events that bring student news reporters and others together with celebrities, athletes, politicians, authors, musicians, and other successful leaders to give children exposure to enriching life experiences, positive role models, and the chance to express themselves and shape their future. The company has held gatherings in conjunction with President Obama's visit to Sony Studios, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s tour of Culver City, the Human Rights Campaign Gala, the Leeza Gibbons Charity Oscar Party, and an exclusive session with former President of Mexico Vicente Fox, among others.