By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CSB) — More than two dozen students at a Philadelphia charter school took “Voter Registration 101″ today, and it was definitely hands-on.

“Through history, people have fought for the right to vote,” Taneisha Spall, principal at Aspira Excel Academy in East Oak Lane (center of top photo), in the old Cardinal Dougherty building, told the students, some of whom would register to vote on the spot.

Kendall Thomas (below) was first in line.

(Kendall Thomas registers to vote. Credit: John Ostapkovich)

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“I volunteered because I have a lot of leadership and I’m ready to ‘Rock the Vote,’ you know what I’m saying?” Thomas told KYW Newsradio.

Principal Spall says there’s an educational component for the students.

“Most of them are also in our US history or African-American history classes, where this is built in.  This is embedded into the cirriculum, so it’s not just a one-day.”

Spall says the registration effort includes help to make sure each new voter has acceptable ID.