VOL. XVI, NO. 11
APRIL 11, 1975
Election Time Draws Near:
Choose the Best Candidate
Choose the Best Candidate
By LORRIE SWANSON
Well, it's the time of year again that Maine West revs up its engines for another thrilling campaign for Student and Class Council elections. After many years of slipping behind an authentic voting‑booth curtain and placing votes for the party of your choice, we find that candidates for these follies fall into one giant scene called "suspense."
The first common type of personality trait one finds in the race for Student Council president falls under the category of "ambitious." It is usually some big kid who wants to be President of the United States some day. He carries a brief case filled with back issues of Newsweek and greets people with a warm "hi." Freshmen and sophomores vote for him because he has a big vocabulary.
A second type of candidate who seeks the presidency may be classified as "freak." He has absolutely no speech prepared for the homeroom assemblies but saunters up to the podium anyway in his oldest jeans and promises a package of Zig Zags to anyone who will give him his support. Girls vote for him because he's cute. Another potential candidate falls under the title "comedian." His speech consists of phrases like "Let's get a smoking lounge and urinate in a clean - smelling washroom for once." His speech usually causes some discussion among the faculty members present.
Well, it's the time of year again that Maine West revs up its engines for another thrilling campaign for Student and Class Council elections. After many years of slipping behind an authentic voting‑booth curtain and placing votes for the party of your choice, we find that candidates for these follies fall into one giant scene called "suspense."
The first common type of personality trait one finds in the race for Student Council president falls under the category of "ambitious." It is usually some big kid who wants to be President of the United States some day. He carries a brief case filled with back issues of Newsweek and greets people with a warm "hi." Freshmen and sophomores vote for him because he has a big vocabulary.
A second type of candidate who seeks the presidency may be classified as "freak." He has absolutely no speech prepared for the homeroom assemblies but saunters up to the podium anyway in his oldest jeans and promises a package of Zig Zags to anyone who will give him his support. Girls vote for him because he's cute. Another potential candidate falls under the title "comedian." His speech consists of phrases like "Let's get a smoking lounge and urinate in a clean - smelling washroom for once." His speech usually causes some discussion among the faculty members present.
Vice‑presidential candidates are voted for because they're just nice kids who want to do the best job they can and because they serve as another vehicle for being late to first period class. Their speeches do not cause quite as much controversy as say the "comedian," or some of his fellow running mates. These kids usually run because they are not used to public speaking and because they know they won't be expected to make as long a speech. They are also aware of the fact that if they run for president, "ambitious" will tear them apart in a public debate.
The office of secretary of Student Council usually narrows down to one person. This happens because most people realize that one just can't compete against the future Miss Universe. However, she has to make a speech during the homeroom assembly to give everyone one last chance to make that decision on whether or not they want to write in their vote. But nobody ever does because of her touching speech; "My only wish is peace for the world." The boys vote for her because she has a pleasant smile.
But if one really takes a good look at these candidates, seriously, he will find out they are just some sincere students trying to make Maine West a better place for all of us.
The office of secretary of Student Council usually narrows down to one person. This happens because most people realize that one just can't compete against the future Miss Universe. However, she has to make a speech during the homeroom assembly to give everyone one last chance to make that decision on whether or not they want to write in their vote. But nobody ever does because of her touching speech; "My only wish is peace for the world." The boys vote for her because she has a pleasant smile.
But if one really takes a good look at these candidates, seriously, he will find out they are just some sincere students trying to make Maine West a better place for all of us.