Third Grade Class President

Date:Mar 7-17

Anden came home from school on Monday 3/7

telling me his class had decided to hold a Class President Election

and that he wanted to run.

I told him I thought that was a fabulous idea!

He suddenly had this new passion for student government.

(which was nice to see a passion for something other than material items!! lol)

I have loved his interest in the upcoming Presidential election and Republican Primaries

So I was thrilled that he wanted to get involved in his class election too!

(and I was hoping it wasn't just  to include "power" along with his material passions! lol)

Since I too was involved in student government growing up I was more than happy to help him.

He explained that he needed to write a speech to give the next day for Super Tuesday.

So I had him look up speech ideas and outlines online.

Then we brainstormed what his platform would be

and came up with a few catchy slogans.

He wanted me to write it in my handwriting but it's his ideas.

He was insistent that it needed to be glued to a hard paper.

So I rounded up some old poster board and made it just how he wanted.

He's a funny kid and pretends that he's not particular or book smart 

when really he's a super smart kid that knows just how he wants things done.

After school on Tuesday I was nervous and excited to hear how his speech went.

He said it was kind of scary to get up and give his speech but that he did a good job.

His teacher then narrowed down the candidates from 15 to 4.

He made it to the final 4.

Each remaining candidate selected a Vice President running mate

and were told they could campaign for the next week.

So with that I went into full blown self appointed Campaign Manager mode!

I designed him a few posters and handouts.

He thought I was the coolest since no other parents did that.

(I did check with his teacher first to make sure it was within campaign guidelines!)

We gave different treats out each day.

Smarties with "Be a Smartie, Vote for Anden" tags

Mini versions of "The Force is with Anden" poster with glowsticks in place of the light saber.

Pencils with "Vote for Anden" tags

(my camera went on the fritz during this and was taken to the repair shop! Ugh so no photos!)

 Then to really give a lasting impression he had me bring in popsicles

to his class on the final campaign day.

We were hoping the sugar held over to the next day so they would vote for him! lol

On Wed 3/16 was the official election.

I gave Anden his last little pep talk that morning before school.

 I told him I was so proud of him for committing to this and working hard on it.

So win or lose he did an awesome job.

He played it off cool

but I know he was definitely nervous too.

It's never easy to put yourself in a public position to possibly lose,

whether you're a kid or an adult!

So off he went to school

and I had butterflies all day wondering how it went and if he had found out the results yet!!

I was anxiously waiting by the front door when he got home that day.

"HOW DID IT GO BUD?!"

He casually replied, "Oh I didn't win".

My heart sank and I started to tell him it was ok.

He beamed a huge grin and jumped up,

"JUST KIDDING!!  I WON!!"

I literally grabbed him and spun him around! lol lil stinker!

He then told me it really was quite the nail biter.

They had the remaining 4 candidates and the vote ended in a tie for 2 of them.

But they didn't know which 2.

So their teacher had asked the class how they wanted to handle it.

They decided to have a re-vote between the 2 remaining.

Anden didn't know he was one of the two left 

until he took his turn to go up front and privately vote.

Then the official winner was announced...

ANDEN HARBECK!

His Inauguration Day was the following day 3/17.

He was sworn into office and then appointed fellow students to the following positions:

Chief of Staff

Head of Security/Secret Agent

Chief Justice Supreme Court

His teacher emailed out these pics to the parents afterwards.

Please forgive the bright green St. Patty's hair! lol oops

Anden and his VP Ryan

Anden and his staff

I sure hope Anden learned a lot through this process

He's definitely a great kid with a ton of friends.

My hope for him as always been to use his influence for good.

So far he's on the right path!