Some of Northern Ireland's politicians yesterday faced what many would say was their toughest test yet on the campaign trail - questions from more than 180 pupils from several schools, many of them first-time voters.
Facing a political grilling were SDLP leader Mark Durkan, Simon Hamilton of the DUP, Naomi Long from Alliance, Sinn Féin's Niall Ó Donnghaile, Michael Copeland of the Ulster Unionist Party and Progressive Unionist Party leader Dawn Purvis, with proceedings chaired by Seamus McKee, presenter of BBC radio's Good Morning Ulster.
Several issues were aired at the event, held at Lagan College, the North's first integrated school, in east Belfast. These included the old favourite, water charges, although most were specific to the young voter, including a lowering of the voting age, university fees and closing of integrated schools.
Pupils were asked for their viewpoints regarding how political parties can appeal to younger voters. Alex Parry (17) summed up the general mood among the pupils when he said: "Politicians don't look at young people enough. I remember looking at a few websites and finding nothing devoted to young people."
Youthful idealism reared its head. Laura Devenny (18) said she believed this generation is "the one that is going to make the difference...it is our turn to try and fix Northern Ireland."
The wisdom of youth also shone through. Maeve McGlone (18), a pupil at the school, asked the panel: "If integration is so important, why can't work together in the Assembly?" There was no answer forthcoming.