Two Prairie Central Junior High students will give speeches at the upcoming convention of the Illinois Association of Junior High Student Councils in April.
The seventh graders, Elias Chrisman and Ryan Evans, both expressed interest in becoming district representative for the Mideast District of IAJHSC. This process includes an application, training Zoom meeting, parental consent, campaign speech, campaign tri-fold and question session.
Both boys found campaign managers, referred to as their “hype guys.” These are Nathan Buchenau and Joshua Webb.
During the recent March meeting of the Prairie Central School Board, Buchenau introduced his candidate, Ryan Evans, who then gave his speech indicating his reasons for running, passion for helping others and service project suggestion of The American Cancer Society.
Webb then introduced his candidate, Elias Chrisman, who gave his speech explaining reasons for running including past leadership roles and his service project suggestion, Advance Illinois.
All four boys wrote their speeches with only a few topic suggestions from teachers.
After the boys give speeches at the state convention and campaign at their tri-folds, the Mideast District holds its primary to narrow the candidates down to two. Remaining candidates will stand for a Q&A session the next day, similar to a town hall. The district then holds the final vote with winners announced and installed during the final general session of the State Assembly of IAJHSC councils.
“Both Jordan Hornickel and I are incredibly proud of all of these students and look forward to seeing how this all shakes out at convention,” said PCJH Student Council co-sponsor Michelle Harms. “Regardless of the outcome, these gentlemen have bright futures ahead.”
