School NHS Election

[ThaiGreenTea]

Hey there fellow INTJ's! (First post)

I have an NHS school election tommorrow. I'm not the most popular kid on the ballot (I'm running against 5 people, 2 of which are pretty popular), but I am definitely the most respected. What tactics can I use to sway people to vote for me in my speech? Also, should I hand out pamphlets or something to coerce people to vote for me? It would mean the world to me if I won! Thanks for all of your help.

[Mogura]

Hey there fellow INTJ's! (First post)

I have an NHS school election tommorrow. I'm not the most popular kid on the ballot (I'm running against 5 people, 2 of which are pretty popular), but I am definitely the most respected. What tactics can I use to sway people to vote for me in my speech? Also, should I hand out pamphlets or something to coerce people to vote for me? It would mean the world to me if I won! Thanks for all of your help.

It's hard to not become discouraged when going up against the popular crowd. They seem to rule the school, so to speak. But that's the perception. The popular crowd is always outnumbered by the "nobodies"--those people for whom you've seen their faces, but don't know their names. The nobodies are often the ones that don't vote, or will write in "Eric Cartman" on their ballots.

Hit the pavement! Go out and meet these people. Learn their names (and remember them!), find out what is important to them, and what qualities/platforms they are looking for in a candidate. Then tie in together what they are looking for and what you have to offer. Be honest, sincere, confident (not arrogant), look them in the eye, and shake their hand and say that you would really appreciate their vote, and part on that good note.

If all else fails, well at least you may have become friends with some really great people...

[mkay]

When I was in school, student government was nothing but a popularity contest. I say that having been in student government.

[INTJoe]

Just because this occurs at school doesn't make this about Education. And it isn't really Work, either. And the thread is just pretty sub-par all around.

But I'll give it some time, and if it inexplicably takes off with several serious responses then I'll let it stay. If not, I'm dumping it in The Lounge.

Other than that, welcome to the forum ThaiGreenTea. Post better! :thinking:

[SOMjunkie]

When I was in school, student government was nothing but a popularity contest. I say that having been in student government.

I concurr. The problem with high schools is that we try to treat young people as adults, while forgetting the simple fact that they are not adults. We tell them to vote on the issues, but it's just a popularity contest at it's heart, which is why every form of student government I've been involved in has just been an exercise in futility.

[Motor Jax]

*yawn*

*sigh*

yea, i was never one for popularity contests, and those cliches i always talked about them, joking about them


i was just the cool, laid back badass loner with A LOT of chick friends


contest were always for the ones that either needed to feel supported to feel popular or just suffered from aggressive narcissism


i didn't need any contest to validate my coolness

i just knew i was popular

[mkay]

Actually, a lot of my friends in school were ambitious. They wanted stuff to put on their college applications. I liked to be plugged in. Most of school bored me.

[Mogura]

So what happened with this? Follow-up, please!

Are you now the NHS Evil Overlord?

[ThaiGreenTea]

Nope, I didn't get elected. =( 5 candidates, 2 of which were pretty popular. I was crossing my fingers that people would get swayed by my killer speech... but the fact was over half of the people filled in absentee ballots, so my speech never got heard and the popular people won.

I suppose it doesn't matter too much since I never expected to win, but I would've never forgiven myself if I had never run. It was more of a psychological thing. At least I got to shake hands with people I never really talked to before, and got a chance to make a speech (mine was the only one not read from a script, had it all memorized.)

In conclusion, high school elections are truly popularity contests and...
I need to find other impressive things to beef up my college application. =S

[Mogura]

What are your future (career) aspirations?

[ThaiGreenTea]

Right now I'm not sure... I like science a bunch...

Medicine, Law, Business... those are just a few of the things I'm considering.

[mkay]

I suppose it doesn't matter too much since I never expected to win, but I would've never forgiven myself if I had never run. It was more of a psychological thing. At least I got to shake hands with people I never really talked to before, and got a chance to make a speech (mine was the only one not read from a script, had it all memorized.)

I think it's great that you went for it. I always respect that in people.

[Mogura]

Right now I'm not sure... I like science a bunch...

Medicine, Law, Business... those are just a few of the things I'm considering.

If you truly want to beef up your college application, then you need to start thinking out of the box. In other words, what can you do to set yourself apart from the other applicants?

Let me tell you, everyone has NHS/Student Council on their applications--BORING!!!

It's great that you ran in the election like you did. Though you didn't win, you gained/honed 3 valuable skills/attributes: 1) public speaking, 2) strategizing, 3) confidence and poise.

Have you considered joining your school's debate/speech team? If not, you should seriously consider doing so. You will be able to build on the 3 attributes just mentioned, and debate skills are critical to any profession, especially law.

I would also suggest community service/volunteering (outside of your school). Hospital volunteer, old age homes, children's hospitals, etc. Volunteerism is a great way to make your application stand out, and sometimes you can get reference letters out of it as well. And plus, you get to feel good about something you've done...

[ThaiGreenTea]

If you truly want to beef up your college application, then you need to start thinking out of the box. In other words, what can you do to set yourself apart from the other applicants?

Let me tell you, everyone has NHS/Student Council on their applications--BORING!!!

It's great that you ran in the election like you did. Though you didn't win, you gained/honed 3 valuable skills/attributes: 1) public speaking, 2) strategizing, 3) confidence and poise.

Have you considered joining your school's debate/speech team? If not, you should seriously consider doing so. You will be able to build on the 3 attributes just mentioned, and debate skills are critical to any profession, especially law.

I would also suggest community service/volunteering (outside of your school). Hospital volunteer, old age homes, children's hospitals, etc. Volunteerism is a great way to make your application stand out, and sometimes you can get reference letters out of it as well. And plus, you get to feel good about something you've done...
My extracurriculars are as follows:

Track and Field all 3 years so far

Writer's Sodality (Creative Writing Club) all 3 years so far

Mock Trial 3rd year

Writing for some school magazines, not enough people understood my work so it got turned down Q.Q

Volunteer Work at the Cardiopulmonary Ward in 9th grade




10th going to 11th grade summer was an endless World of Warcraft addiction fest.... luckily I sold my account and the addiction is broke... Unfortunately my 10th grade year was screwed slightly as well. Bye bye valedictorian.

[Mogura]

My extracurriculars are as follows:

Track and Field all 3 years so far

Writer's Sodality (Creative Writing Club) all 3 years so far

Mock Trial 3rd year

Writing for some school magazines, not enough people understood my work so it got turned down Q.Q

Volunteer Work at the Cardiopulmonary Ward in 9th grade

10th going to 11th grade summer was an endless World of Warcraft addiction fest.... luckily I sold my account and the addiction is broke... Unfortunately my 10th grade year was screwed slightly as well. Bye bye valedictorian.

Yeah, computer games doesn't go very far on a college admissions application unless you were the one who designed and programmed them.

It sounds like you are athletic. How about doing a NOLS course (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) for the summer?