Herkimer Central School District fifth graders elected their Student Council leaders during a school vote on Election Day.
School counselor Sara Lamanna and fifth grade teacher Barb Macri, who are the fifth grade Student Council club advisors, said there has been talk about the national Election Day throughout the school year in fifth grade classes. The first two meetings of the Student Council after-school club also focused on the national election and preparing for the Student Council election.
Even fifth graders who weren’t running for office kept asking about the upcoming Student Council election and were excited they were able to vote on the same day as their parents and grandparents, the advisors said.
“A lot of students were making that connection,” Lamanna said.
The Student Council candidates gave speeches on issues from bullying to bounce houses and from poverty to lunchtime seating assignments, before all fifth graders voted in the Student Council election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Herkimer Elementary School.
All of the candidates were members of the Student Council, and all members of the Student Council are fifth graders. Student Council members who didn’t run for office participated in other ways. Student Council members Jada Drummond, Nevaeh Thomas and Ela Palmer hosted the event, and others helped out with voting.
The election results:
- Christian Saugh was elected Student Council president. The other candidates Tanner Kuehnle and Noah Filkins.
- Keegan Yung was elected vice president. The other candidates were Gia Burns, Emily King, Rosalee White and Paige Wilson.
- Michael Warmuth was elected treasurer. The other candidates were Dillion Denton and Alyssa Schumacher.
- Cameron Meszler was elected secretary and was unopposed.
- Maxwell Johndrew was elected historian and was unopposed.
The Student Council advisors praised all of the Student Council members who ran for office and were impressed with their speeches and ideas.
“It takes a lot of courage,” Macri said.
Lamanna concurred, noting that the students spoke not only in front of other Student Council members but also in front of the whole fifth grade and the teachers.
“I’m really proud of them because it takes bravery and courage,” Lamanna said. “I like that it’s giving practice for them to have good public speaking skills.”
Christian said it felt “really good” to be elected Student Council president. He said he ran for the position because his sister, Herkimer senior Anjali Saugh, is the high school Student Council president, and he thought he would be good for the job at Herkimer Elementary School (HES).
“Because I’m a really good leader, and I know I can improve Student Council and improve HES,” Christian said.
Keegan said he was initially going to run for president, but he listened to advice from his cousin to start off by running for vice president, and he’s glad he did because he won the position and plans to stay involved in Student Council in the years to come.
“I feel very happy and proud of myself,” Keegan said.
Lamanna and Macri emphasized leadership with Student Council members running for office and talked about how they’re doing their civic duty, participating and being a good community member. Student Council members will lead the way with community service and school activities, the advisors said.
“We try to do as many fundraisers as we can, but we base it off what they want to do,” Macri said.
The advisors said the students suggested some great ideas during their speeches, and they’re willing to try any reasonable plans the students put forth.
“Really, the kids run Student Council,” Lamanna said. “I can’t wait to see what this group is going to do.”
Herkimer Central School District fifth graders who won their Student Council election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, pose together for a photo. From left: Vice President Keegan Yung, President Christian Saugh, Treasurer Michael Warmuth, Secretary Cameron Meszler and Historian Maxwell Johndrew. View more photos on the Herkimer Central School District Facebook page.
Herkimer Central School District fifth graders participate in a Student Council speech event and election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. View more photos on the Herkimer Central School District Facebook page.
Herkimer Central School District fifth grader Christian Saugh gives a speech on Tuesday, Nov. 5, before being elected Student Council president. View more photos on the Herkimer Central School District Facebook page.
Herkimer Central School District fifth grader Keegan Yung gives a speech on Tuesday, Nov. 5, before being elected Student Council vice president. View more photos on the Herkimer Central School District Facebook page.