In 2000, there was Kailey. Today, there’s Debbie.

On October 3, 2000, America watched the first presidential debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush. That night, Vice President Gore told the emotional story of Kailey, a 15-year-old girl at Sarasota High School who was, supposedly, the 36thstudent in a 24-student classroom. “They can’t squeeze another desk in for her, so she has to stand during class,” Gore said.