The second week of the school year is always hectic with students busily adapting to a new grade and new teachers. It’s during this time that the grade 7 and 8 students of IHMS hold their annual elections to select a new student council president and vice-president.
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| Two creative campaign posters for students running for president |
Junior high students interested in a position of either president or vice-president must first of all be nominated by their peers. Once nominated, they can begin their campaign.
| Campaigning typically begins and ends during the second week of school. In contrast to previous elections, this year’s campaigning ran a few extra days. Ballots were cast the following week on Tuesday, September 20th. Other than a short speech by the grade 8 students running for president, campaigning consists mainly of putting up election posters in the upstairs hallway. |  |
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| A few of the campaign posters in the upstairs hallway |
A few of these candidates spent a lot of time and effort making up posters which were placed throughout the upstairs hallway of the school. Some of the posters appeared to be hastily made but some were interesting and showed a lot of creativity.
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| Two creative campaign posters for students running for vice-president |
The student council consists of:
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| Every junior-high student is given the chance to cast two votes – one for president and one for vice-president |  |
The duties of the student council are to plan Spirit Days (along with the grade 8 teacher, Mrs. Wittevrongel), to help out at special events, to represent the students at special functions, and to help with various fund-raising activities.
There were 4 students from grade 7 running for vice-president:
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There were also 4 students from grade 8 running for president:
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On the day of the election, the 4 candidates for president gave a short speech about what they plan to do if elected president (this is a test of each candidate’s ability to give a speech – they really don’t have the power to make changes of any kind as president. However, they can make suggestions that can lead to change! And that is important).
The speeches took place in the grade 8 classroom in front of the rest of the junior-high students. The ability to deliver a speech is an important part of the selection process because the candidate who is elected president is obligated to give several speeches throughout the year at various special functions (such as the grade 8 graduation dinner).
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| One of the candidates for president of the student council presenting his speech to the grade 7 and 8 class |
| Immediately after the speeches, the junior-high students went back to their classes to vote. After careful tabulation, the results of the vote were announced: |  |
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| Student council president:
Myles C. |
Student council vice president:
Donovan M. |