Schools Hike to Raise Money for Collaboration
A newspaper written by elementary stuntents, mentored by university students
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THE
SNELLING CONNECTION Newsletter for the Hamline to Hamline Collaboration Fall Issue 2012
Hamline student campaigning for the Piper to become Hancock Elementary School’s new mascot during an all school assembly to kick off Kids Voting.
Volume 16, Issue 1
[Photo by: Margot Howard]
Kids Voting: My Vote Gives Me Power Piper, Diaper campaign for Hancock’s vote By Jessica Lee and Glynis Gostephan Journalist and Student Advisor “Pipers” and “Diapers” were shouted by teachers and students in the Hancock gymnasium on October 11, 2012. This “campaigning” led to an immediate mock election held for registered voters only – the adults. So of course, the “Diapers” were elected to the dismay of Hancock students. This presentation was to show the students how they could make a difference in an election. It also stressed the importance of voter registration. Hamline’s English Professor, David Hudson, summarized the event, “My first-year seminar students created the whole thing, including the characters and the props. Some made signs, some made costumes, [and] some performed as announcers. Two students volunteered to be the ‘Piper’ and the ‘Diaper’.” Hudson said there wasn’t a Kids Voting when he was in elementary school. The first Kids Voting assembly
at Hancock was in the year 2000. Professors David Schultz and Hudson helped with Kids Voting every two to four years since then. Hudson said he helps with Kids Voting whenever a general election takes place at the same time he’s teaching a first-year seminar. To further experience the voting process, Hancock students in grades one through six participated in a mock presidential election on November 6, 2012. Hancock Student Council members served as Election Judges, Clerks, and Marshalls. Election Clerks helped students find available polling booths while the Election Marshall made sure no one campaigned within 150 feet of the polls. The Marshalls also showed people how to vote on iPads. Student Council Advisor Glynis Grostephan served as the Inspector to make sure the voting process was carried out. Hancock library cards were used as identification – mostly so Election Judges could easily find student names in the registration log or sign-in. A
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table was also available for students who needed to complete a same day registration. Elizza Yang and Doua Chee Thao were two of the Student Council members who helped at the voting booths. Elizza said, “I think it is a fantastic place for children to vote and have the experience to vote when they grow up.” She also stated, “It’s not fair that adults get to vote. Kids have their opinions, too.” Douachee liked the Kids Voting because she got to help the first graders as an Election Clerk and as an Election Judge. Grostephan likes Kids Voting because it gives students an opportunity to experience the voting process, and it encourages people to vote. Hudson agrees, “I like that the kids love [Kids Voting] so much and that it teaches them something important … Voting is Kids Voting, Page 4 >>