It’s no secret that Wheeling Park has a lot to offer. Students can get involved with hands-on activities like welding or engineering, or students can take a different approach like taking an extra history class. The fact is that the Student Council is what brings all of the kids in the student body together, no matter what path you’re taking.
To run for student council there is a checklist of basic requirements to become a candidate. Some of these requirements include attendance and discipline checks, and 20 student signatures of support for the student planning to run.
Once the student is approved, they can start campaigning. Students usually like to make signs that incorporate their personalities, and what they plan to accomplish. Some of the signs are funny while others are meant to get a specific point across. The signs hang all around the school and are everywhere, especially in the main stairwell.
“I like to see all of the students show what they plan to do through their signs, it helps me decide who to vote for. “ said sophomore Connor Kiziminski.
Another major step in the election process is the speeches. Grade by grade, candidates take their turn by getting up on the PAC stage and presenting a speech to their grade level. In the speeches, students tend to talk about the policies and promises they plan to instate when elected into office. This also helps students narrow down who they plan to give their vote to.
But do the speeches and the signs really make a difference? Or is it just who people recognize, know, or are friends with? To find out I interviewed a few students to ask who they voted for and why.
“(I voted) Sam Kiger because I felt he’s done the best job since he’s been running,” said senior Sangra Kafton.
“I voted for Taylin (Holt) because she’s been it (president) all three years and like we all know that she’s good at it.” said junior Abbie Hines.
Some students base their votes on who has done the best in the past, but in some cases, candidates are running for the first time.
“I voted for Gianna Mills because I felt like she could actually make a change in the Student Council,” said sophomore Mikayla Graski.
These interviews help bring the assumption that when running for Student Council the posters, speeches, and of course, how you did in the previous years count.
Make sure that next year when the time rolls around to run for Student Council.