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Today’s divisive politicians could learn a few lessons from students at Luverne High School.
The school of 395 ninth- through 12-graders recently completed its annual student council elections that attracted 62 candidates for 36 open offices.
Due to the increased competitions, some students designed campaign posters to inform classmates of their desire for a class office.
Sophomore Cade Wenninger is running for junior class president.
“I like being a voice for the students,” Wenninger said. “I (also) like being a part of something bigger than the school structure.”
Typically, he said, school structure limits activities to a sports team or club with decisions focused among its members.
Student council’s structure is broad and impacts the entire student body.
In his campaign, Wenninger used four graphics of a human brain, each one glowing more brightly (getting smarter) with each of his messages, “Show up to school,” “Vote at the elections,” “Vote for literally anyone,” and finally, “Vote for Cade Wenninger for president.”
Humor was a popular campaign theme.
Incoming freshman Camden Hoven let his classmates know he was interested in the vice president position.
His poster featured a fish with Hoven’s face used in place of an eye.
The words, “There are a lot of fish in the sea, but vote for me!!” He headlined the poster with a speech bubble that said, “Vote for me. Everyone else is fishy.”
Poster placement was another consideration for candidates.
Thirsty students were likely to notice junior Gunnar Oldre’s posters — he hung one above each water fountain.
“Vice president 2020. Refreshing Ideas. Hydration Intensifies. This drink is on me, Luverne. I’m Gunnar Oldre and I approve this message.”
Another candidate used clever messages.
Sophomore Solveig Tofteland used multiple puns and inferences to let students know she wanted to be class vice president.
In one poster, stick people drawings conveyed, “I’ve got your back as vice president.”
Another poster pictured Tofteland blowing a bubble with her gum on one side and an empty spearmint gum wrapper on the other side. “‘Chews’ Solveig,” the poster read. “She’s ‘Mint’ to be your Vice President.”
Sophomore Xavier Carbonneau used celebrity endorsements.
“My name is Morgan Freeman … and I want you to make the right choice this election. Vote Xavier.”
Junior candidate Jordan Winter used President Trump’s push for a wall at the Mexico border as a theme for this year’s message with a nod to the district’s upcoming construction plans.
“We will build GREAT and MIGHTY walls! Due to school renovations,” read his poster for class president re-election.
Graduating seniors, who served as election judges for last week’s elections, noticed the increased use of posters.
“This is the first time I have seen so many (posters) hanging around,” said Carissa Cunningham. “And they were so creative.”
Besides posters, student candidates also used YouTube, Snap Chat and Instagram to tell their classmates to get out and vote.