NEW CASTLE —
A presidency was decided yesterday.
No, not that one.
The winner in this campaign was Madeline Spadafore, who was elected school president at Hartman Elementary in Ellwood City. Her vice president is Tara Marsh.
“I feel as if I have won the election for the president of the United States,” Madeline said. “Since I won, I think that I can help many people at Hartman school. Thank you to all who voted for me and to everyone who supported me through this process. We are the future, and it’s our job to make Hartman a better place.”
About 300 students voted yesterday morning after an elaborate mock debate Monday that was patterned after the real-life political process.
It started with students nominating three candidates — Zoe Maine and Michael Medlin, were the other two — who then debated each other on the issues.
But forget jobs and foreign policy.
“We didn’t want it to be a popularity contest, with kids voting for their friends,” teacher Darin Morella explained. “We wanted them to focus on the issues — but not national and international issues. We created our own issues.”
Those, Morella said, included school activities, and how to enhance inside recess; ways to get the school and students more involved with the community; and how to increase school spirit and student motivation.
“Each candidate then had to form a committee for each issue,” Morella explained, “so we had at least 80 kids involved in the entire process.”
Candidates also chose theme songs, Morella said, and entered Monday’s debate arena while their particular song played. At least one even came with “Secret Service” guards wearing suits and sunglasses.
“With the (national) election up,” Morella said, “we wanted to create our own election as a social studies project. We wanted to help the kids learn about the political process, but we also wanted to make it about them organizing their campaigns and learning how to become leaders themselves.”
(Email: d_irwin@ncnewsonline.com)
Photos-Video
Related Photos
-
Hartman Elementary student and candidate for school president, Zoe Maine greets other students after the mock debate. Erica Galvin
Related Links
Discussion
Photo Gallery, Story: Hartman Elementary elects a school president one day after mock debate
- Photos-Video
-
-
Photos, Video, Story: Neshannock falls short in PIAA title game
The Neshannock High softball team came up short in its bid for history yesterday. The Lady Lancers were gunning for consecutive PIAA crowns in different classifications, which would have been a first across the state. They would have become the first softball team in the WPIAL to win back-to-back state championships as well.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Tortured kitten on the road to recovery
When Rebecca Smith first saw Oscar, he was a little ball of orange and white fur. The Morris Street resident befriended the kitten, his mother and two siblings, feeding them at their home under the porch of a vacant house in her neighborhood.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Neshannock softball team advances to PIAA title game
Pack your bags, the Neshannock High softball team is heading for the state championship — again. The Lady Lancers clinched their second championship game appearance in as many seasons, getting plays when they needed them in a PIAA Class A semifinal-round triumph over Southern Huntingdon, 4-1.
-
‘AutoMoments’: Check out another episode with G.O. Crivelli!
The New Castle News is linking arms with local auto dealerships on an original web video series called “AutoMoments.” Host Joe Ligo will venture to different dealerships throughout the area to shine a spotlight on what’s hot in the car industry. Click headline above to watch video.
-
Photo Gallery: Neshannock vs. Elk County Catholic softball
-
Video, Photos, Story: Neshannock captures WPIAL softball championship
This time, the Neshannock High softball team didn’t leave Lilley Field empty-handed. The Lady Lancers pounded the ball at the plate, Neshannock pitcher Madison Shaffer was strong in the circle and the defense came through with some sparkling plays behind Shaffer.
-
Photo Gallery: Marty Mangan retires from The News
-
Movie Memories, The Finale: Leo Mickey ran a tight ship with a heart of gold
Picture yourself as a teenager, popping in a wad of gum as you enter a movie theater in New Castle. About halfway through the film, the gum becomes stale and you have nowhere to put it. So you pop it out and stick it underneath your chair.
-
Photo Gallery: New Castle High prom
-
Own a piece of history: Watch the trailer for ’Canes’ DVD!
Relive all the magic of New Castle High’s WPIAL championship basketball season by purchasing a collectible DVD or special section that was given out at the team’s banquet. Both were produced by the New Castle News!
- More Photos-Video Headlines
-
