The venerable institution of learning that educates future leaders, lawmakers, and latte artists, Mudville Public School, shocked and stunned the academic world today as it introduced a groundbreaking add-on to its civics curriculum: a lesson in democracy. Yes, you read it right. Mudville, lovingly referred to as “The Hogwarts for the Hopeful,” just dropped the 'D' bomb - Democracy. In a stunning turn of events, influenced equally by a spirit of change and a rewatch of 'Schoolhouse Rock!', the Mudville administration announced their bold plan to teach students how to vote. "Students will be given a crash course on the roots of democracy, the importance of voting, and, crucially, taught about the potential devastating consequences of not voting in the finale of 'American Idol'," said Principal Ben Education-Optimist, who's rumored to have displayed the enthusiasm of a drunk squirrel throughout the whole process. "We need to unlock the 'easy mode' for our students," continued Education-Optimist, making a savvy video game reference that won him several approving nods and an enthusiastic ‘yeet’ from the resident esports champion. Through this, he hopes to level up the students' understanding of the democratic process. This, so that the local and national level politicians remember they too were once pimpled teenagers hoping to become class presidents. Of course, the news was not well-received by everybody. Some staunch traditionalists believe this new found push for liberating the young minds and endorsing voting could lead to cataclysmic scenarios such as free-thinking adults and people maybe even understanding the electoral college. The School Board Chairman, Oldgrey Beardface, was red in the face, "I fear we'll see students trying to form their independent opinions and Heaven forbid, arguing that pineapple, indeed, does not belong on pizza!" "The last time we dared to introduce such a revolutionary concept was when we allowed students to use calculators for calculus," Beardface added, shuddering at the memory as he dusted off an old slide rule. Alas, the student body, clearly flexing their newly discovered democratic muscles, has chosen to welcome the initiative. "Finally, we get to do something worth doing. We’re bored with the endless Pythagorean Theorem assignments," commented one student, humorously dubbed 'the Classroom Rebel', as she put up a 'Got Democracy?' poster on the notice board. Chuckling teachers have begun designing mock elections to give students a taste of democracy in action. Students are already in the throes of heated campaigns for serious matters, like 'Should Mr. Snickers, the school's lazy Labrador, finally be given office space?' The best of the campaigns, however, are awarded a ceremonial 'I Voted' sticker and a snack-sized packet of universally beloved American snack: fun-sized freedoms, also known as 'cheese puffs'. Undoubtedly, the new policy marks a turning point for the school, ushering in an era marked by free-thinking students, greater genuine political engagement, and potentially controversial pizza toppings. In the meantime, only one thing is for sure: Mudville Public School continues to give civics education a refreshing, albeit cheesy, twist.