Hail to the Chief

Jack came home on the first day of school and announced he was running for president.

His teacher is embracing the current political climate and holding elections for Class President, Vice President and Secretary. Jack explained that he needed to prepare a speech and deliver it the next day in front of his class. I was a little surprised since this seems a bit out of Jack's comfort zone, but was proud of his initiative and ready to be supportive.

When I came into the twins' classroom after school on Friday to pick them up I asked Jack "how did your speech go?" he just said "good" with a sort of grin, but his teacher (who I am liking more and more by the minute!) exclaimed "He did great! He's our president!"



Harriet appeared to be very nonchalant about the whole thing - when I asked her if she voted for Jack she just said - "It was a secret ballot - I'm not telling" and kind of shrugged the whole thing off (although grandma and grandpa told me that the first thing she did when they showed up at her soccer game was to tell them "Jack is our class president!"). She still hasn't said definitively yes or no.

His term is only for a month or so, and then I think they turn around and do the whole thing all over again. I asked the twins if any girls ran for president, and they said no, so there is still a chance for Harriet to make the next class presidential race a historical one...

Jack graciously granted me his first interview about his new position:

ME: So what made you decide to run for class president?
JACK: I don't know. The teacher just asked who wanted to be president and it sounded fun.
ME: How did you get nominated?
JACK: Four kids raised their hands, but only three could try to be president. The teacher had the class vote and the three with the most votes got to try and be president.
ME: So there was a primary election to nominate potential candidates.
JACK: uh, I guess.
ME: So what did you have to do once you decided to run for President?
JACK: Prepare a speech to give, and then have a vote.
ME: What did you have for breakfast the morning of the election?
JACK: Bagel with cream cheese, and some banana
ME: Were you nervous?
JACK: (emphatically) No!
ME: So how did the voting process go?
JACK: We had to put our heads down on our desks and raise our hands without looking.
ME: Did you vote for yourself?
JACK: Of course!!
ME: Now that you are elected, what are your duties as Class President?
JACK: Read the announcements in the morning, pick people to help out with tasks, excuse the class when its time to go.
ME: Thank you for your time, Mr. President.
JACK: Can I go play gameboy now?

Here is Jack's speech which he wrote with his dad and delivered with great success:

Hi, My name is Jack.
I think I would make a good president
because I listen to people's ideas and try my best to help them.
I'm also very kind, honest, and trustworthy.
All of these qualities make me a good leader.
If you elect me I"ll do my best to work with the teacher and help all of you.
Thank you.