Students in Jamie Uthe’s advanced placement government class at Johnsburg High School discussed a hypothetical situation: The president has to make a decision on how to free American citizens held hostage by a terrorist group in Iraq.

Uthe plays devil’s advocate during the discussion as students debate whether to stand by U.S. policy of not negotiating with terrorists and enlist the aid of friendly nations in the region, secretly exchange arms for the hostages, or use the military to rescue them.

Senior Elise Heiser said using the military should be a last resort.