Thread: Student elections! Yikes!

So what exactly do you have to do to get elected?

Students have to vote for you!

On a more serious note - you basically make a few posters, hand out brochures ("platforms"), and present a speech. That's all there is to it, but the whole thing takes three weeks.

1. Pick a random minority in your school (weird looking ones are always best).
2. Demonstrate how this minority is a scourge upon art and a dangerous, subversive element of the student population.
3. Promise to 'deal with the problem'.
4. Congratulations, you are now Queen of Art! Quickly establish a brutal regime of trustworthy students to quash any opposition, and enjoy all the free food.

N.B. remember to cancel all future elections.

Originally Posted by Xei

1. Pick a random minority in your school (weird looking ones are always best).
2. Demonstrate how this minority is a scourge upon art and a dangerous, subversive element of the student population.
3. Promise to 'deal with the problem'.
4. Congratulations, you are now Queen of Art! Quickly establish a brutal regime of trustworthy students to quash any opposition, and enjoy all the free food.

N.B. remember to cancel all future elections.

The Nazi party reborn. I like it.

I'm glad you got that one.

Originally Posted by Xei

1. Pick a random minority in your school (weird looking ones are always best).
2. Demonstrate how this minority is a scourge upon art and a dangerous, subversive element of the student population.
3. Promise to 'deal with the problem'.
4. Congratulations, you are now Queen of Art! Quickly establish a brutal regime of trustworthy students to quash any opposition, and enjoy all the free food.

N.B. remember to cancel all future elections.

My great grandfather was Adolf Hitler.

Originally Posted by Puffin

My great grandfather was Adolf Hitler.

sounds like you know what not to talk about in your speech. all you need to do now is make a list of all those things that you shouldn't talk about, and talk about everything else.

DONE.

There was this kid last year that ran for president.

Nobody liked him.

Nobody knew him.

He was under qualified.

He gave out candy.

He won.

Oh, I can't use bribes. I also can't make kickass computer-generated posters because it's an "unfair advantage" to the other student running. -_-

As for the speech, what exactly am I supposed to talk about?

Originally Posted by Puffin

Oh, I can't use bribes. I also can't make kickass computer-generated posters because it's an "unfair advantage" to the other student running. -_-

As for the speech, what exactly am I supposed to talk about?

why you want to be president, and what you'll do once you are president.

you do have good reasons to be president, don't you?

I want to improve the arts part of our school - all it's got right now is singing... We have a choir, a quartet or whatever it's called... We even have a "glee club".

But absolutely no drawing, media editing, graphic design, or dancing activities. Like, nothing.

That can be a start I suppose. The only thing I'm concerned about is putting humor into my speech - everyone does, and although I'm going to make mine as serious as possible, I do want to put something in to keep the audience engaged. No one listens otherwise.

If I whip up a rough draft, would you consider reading it and telling me what you think of it? It's only going to be a page or two, probably double spaced.

don't worry about formatting if you're just going to be reading it aloud and sending it to people on the internet. and yes, I will run through it.

Originally Posted by Puffin

If I whip up a rough draft, would you consider reading it and telling me what you think of it? It's only going to be a page or two, probably double spaced.

I would like to read it too.

I should have it done by tonight.

Here's what I've got as of now.

So, it may be awkward to read because I've written it in the way I'm going to say it to people. Some sarcasm, some longer pauses, etc. But hopefully that doesn't put you off from reading it.

Speech

Good morning everyone! It is seven o’clock here, in Winnipeg, Manitoba… And this morning, in the theatre, we have a very special guest… self-proclaimed artist, (my name)!

…Sorry. I thought it’d be cool to start off this speech with a (slightly edited) quote from one of my favorite films, 127 Hours. You may have seen this movie – and you might have noticed that it’s a rather artistic film, with all the different camera angles and the cool music and everything. I think that’s why it’s one of my favorite movies - It’s… artistic.

Myself, I have an artistic eye for things. And even my name sounds kind of artsy (if sometimes dreadfully hard to pronounce) - (my name). I am running to be your Arts prefect for the 2011 and 2012 school year, because I want to bring out the artistic side of this school.

I am passionate about art, and have been since I was very young. It started out with drawing – I’d draw all the time. I’d draw so often, it was ridiculous. Then I grew up, and I finally learned to draw only on paper, because having my mom constantly wipe marker off the walls got old after a while. Now, I’m seventeen, and I’m involved in all kinds of art. I take extracurricular dance lessons, and acting classes. I’m going to an acting course over the summer. I am also constantly developing my drawing abilities. Sometimes I do this during class… But I don’t think the teachers mind that much.

I’ve practiced in almost all the common areas of what they call “art” – acting, drawing, media editing, dancing, and singing (although I really suck at it so you don’t want to hear me do it).

So it’s safe to say that I’m really dedicated to what I do, and it’s been like that for a long, long time. In fact, I remember being in grade 5, and wanting to be “the arts prefect” for that section of the school. Then, unfortunately, I realized there wasn’t an arts position, so I had to wait another seven years. Now, I have that chance – to represent the students of (school name) in the arts category.

I’ve grown as an artist, and an individual, over the years. I’ve worked hard, all by myself, to get to where I am today. I am persistent, qualified, and knowledgeable when it comes to art – you are voting for an arts prefect who should be all these things, and take the position seriously (well, most of the time) – I’m not going to try and be funny and say a bunch of inside jokes, or throw a bunch of catch-phrases at you, because I don’t want to be elected like that. The dedication that one shows to a position is key here, and nothing else.

If you think I deserve the vote, you should vote for me – (my name). And I will tell you now – I am dedicated. And I WILL get the job done right, and with artistic style too!

Thank you!

Dark purple/blue represents phrases that seem "awkward" to say.

I chose a quote from 127 Hours as an introduction because the quote has been going around the school quite a bit, and I'm positive no one else will use it. One person in my grade particularly loves it, and the actor who says it.

pretty much aced it. the only thing that could be taken the wrong way would be

take the position seriously (well, most of the time)

instead of "most of the time," write "but not too seriously." it retains the humour and the message of the first line without being easily misconstrued as bi-polar.
that's only a personal preference, and the only minor thing I would change in your writing.

don't forget to keep it short, to enunciate well, and speak in a conversational tone. practice loudly to yourself while standing still. hopefully you're not a nervous speaker.

Thanks.

And... Haha... Yes, I'm a nervous speaker. ^^' I tend to get hot flushes and get ahead of myself sometimes. I've spoken to my class for debates and speeches before, but no more than 20 people. Now I'm doing it in front of a LOT of people. But I'll be practicing.

as expected.
practice speaking loudly while eye-locked with a friend. have them simply smile at you while you yell your speech at them. practice in the room you'll be speaking in, as well.

Take some fast and deep breaths just before your speech. And most importantly, imagine yourself on stage and think about how you would feel after delivering your speech perfectly.

I am the worst at giving speeches. I am so shy I don't even order my own food. I had class elections and I ran for VP. I won. A lot of people said they voted for me because my speech was the best. Truth is it was a short two sentence speech written five minutes before. If I can do it then I am positive you can too. Awesome speech you've written. I get tongue tied and freak when I am on stage. I just got up there and got it over with. I focused on my words and eye contact without actually letting myself think about the people in the room. I have StuCo elections on Friday in front of the entire school. Running for secretary this time. I am focusing now on not passing out or tripping over my own feet. =)

Read this as 'Student Erections'.

Disappointed.

God, I love reading the things you write.

Thank-you. I appreciate praise.

Lol, Siиdяed.

Just a quick update - presenting my speech tomorrow at ten in the morning! Currently hyperventilating!