Student elections! Yikes!

So, I'm entering grade 12 next year and there are a bunch of head positions for grade 12 students in the school. One of these positions is the "arts" head position, and I'm running.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OYBqD8aMYK...d-Syphrett.png

There's only one problem - I'm up against one of the most popular girls in the grade, and although she's pretty nasty to many different people, she still has a lot of support. Go figure, huh?

I'm very qualified for the position - After all, I'm an arts fanatic. I enjoy drawing, acting, dancing, and sometimes singing if no one's around, so I've got a stockpile of qualifications to list out. She only sings, which I believe is a big advantage I have over her.

However, that's probably not going to be enough. I have to get up and present a speech to grades 8 - 11 (about 150 people not including 35+ staff members) in a month, and I've never read a speech to a crowd like that before. Heck, I'm not even that popular of a student. Everyone knows me and is nice to me (well, mostly everyone), but I still feel disadvantaged. I'm not part of a 30+ person choir, who will probably back the girl up because they only know her, not me.

Anyone got tips on how to win this thing?
Because I want the position so damn badly, it hurts.

(And yes, I'm going to put in my qualifications that I lucid dream.) ;D

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

Students have to vote for you! :P

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.

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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.

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The Nazi party reborn. I like it.

I'm glad you got that one.

Quote:

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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.

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My great grandfather was Adolf Hitler.

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Originally Posted by Puffin

My great grandfather was Adolf Hitler.

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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? :P

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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? :P

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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". :roll:

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.

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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.

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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. :P

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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!

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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. :P

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

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

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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! :panic:

hell i am in the exact same situation. i need to be president to show my 'leadership qualities' for college apps. i may likely be runnin against a much more popular girl. i have decided on what to do: starting from day 1 of next year, i will shake everybody's hand at the front door and introduce myself hahaha. and do all the classic things like fliers and sticker cards. i might also make and spread a fucking awesome propaganda video. but it may not be enough. if anyone can further advise me and puffin that would be cool :)

I'm well-known for being an artist, but I'm running against the most popular person in my grade, too. It's either her popularity that will win, or my modesty (somewhat) and passion for the arts. You're lucky, because all we're allowed to do is hand-make posters (can't do 'em digitally, because the teachers say they look like they're done "professionally"), hand out brochures for three days, and then write a speech. We can't do videos, or do anything else which is quite pathetic. =/ If only I could do an awesome video edit for my campaign. I mean, I already have some done... But nope. :P

Anyways, I'm going to bed now. I'm getting up at 6:30 to practice my speech and wake myself up.

Read my speech, waited seven hours for the results... I GOT IT!! :bliss:

how'd you feel about your speech? confident? shaky? how much did you practice? how did the audience react?

I was confident mentally, but physically... Eep. I could've sworn I was going to overheat, and my voice wavered a bit. Other than that, it was pretty good!

I practiced a few times in front of some classmates. As for the audience's reaction, they thought the speech was funny (thank goodness - I was thinking some of the jokes wouldn't fly at all) and afterwards, a lot of people told me it was well-done.

LOL dont take it too seriously. It's always akward when someone is up there taking it too seriously. Just joke around alot and pretend like you don't care about it. What is everyone else doing?

So did you win?

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Originally Posted by Catbus

So did you win?

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Originally Posted by Puffin

I GOT IT!! :bliss:

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it appears so.

Fuck yeah, congrats on the win Puffin!

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Originally Posted by no-Name

it appears so.

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I guess that's what I get for only reading the first page