By Elizabeth Landry
Staff writer
On the afternoon of Oct. 14, a valuable civics lesson was in full swing at Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse. In the sixth-grade student council election, students in grades four through six cast their votes using real ballots and an official voting machine. Four sixth-grade students were running for president, four for vice president, two for treasurer, and two for secretary, a total of 12 students participating in the elections. The student council also includes six teacher-appointed student representatives, three each for both fourth and fifth grades.
Principal Sherri Stone explained that the student council, which she oversees, began seven years ago. Students who choose to run must have good behavior, good grades, and demonstrate themselves to be good leaders. They carry out creative campaigns, including posters and stickers found throughout the school, in addition to recording a campaign video explaining their ideas to fellow students.
Stone said this year has been a banner year for the student council elections. “We had an abundance of candidates. We’ve never had this many candidates running,” she said. “They get to help plan our service projects and some of the field trips. It’s very important for them to have a voice. … This year is the biggest year of participation that we’ve ever had, and that says a lot for our kids. It takes a lot to get up in front of people.”
Before the voting began, Republican Commissioner of Elections Kevin Ryan, also a parent to one of the students, spoke to the kids about the electoral process, how to fill out a ballot, the importance of voting for candidates based on their ideas, and emphasized that no matter who gets elected, all those who participate are winners and worthy of applause. After their votes were cast, students received “I voted” stickers to proudly display their participation for the rest of the school day.
