DaLynn Pokorny (Candidate), Hailey Larsen (Running Mate), Sabryna Rigel (Campaign Manager), Jordan Rigel (Videographer). For photos of all campaigns, check out the Decemember 13 issue of the TSC.

As the country draws closer to the Iowa Caucuses in the beginning of February, North Tama seniors are preparing for their own elections that will shape the future of the school. Or at least, that’s the idea in practice. Matt Walston’s American Government class are currently studying elections and six campaigns are running to elect the next president of North Tama. Each campaign pays for posters and buttons using “money” or can buy TV advertisements to convince their fellow classmates to vote for them in the December 19 election. Campaign money is generated by support from teachers. The Traer Star-Clipper met with all six candidates and their campaigns to discuss their platforms and what they have taken away from their American Government unit.

Campaign #1: Katie Kopriva (Candidate), Grace Thorsen (Running Mate), Isabel Sierra (Campaign Manager), Carlie Gorder (Videographer)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“Our campaign focuses on different topics, the main ones being open campus for lunches, longer lunches, more lunch variety and vending machines in the lunchroom for everyone to use. We want Wi-Fi separate from the schools for spectators to enjoy it at games.”

What is your strategy to win this election?

“So far, we have done posters around the school and have got a lot of support from teachers. We are going to keep making posters and keeping talking with teachers/students for support. We also plan to get in the announcements, so more people know about our platform.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“We’ve learned how elections have worked not only in Iowa, but across that nation. We’ve learned about the electoral college and learned there’s a lot more going into elections than just people voting. This is a long process. Vote Katie for Lady of North Tama!”

Campaign #2: Breck Hulme (Candidate), Josh Frana (Running Mate), Nate Urban (Campaign Manager), Andrew Lidgett (Treasurer)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“One of our big ideas is to bring back the vending machines into the school. The profits could help raise money for the school and help with choices. We want to move the elementary school lunch seven minutes earlier and the middle school lunch seven minutes to add 15 minutes to the high school lunch. That way, we can have more time to eat and talk with our friends.”

What is your strategy to win this election?

“Currently, we’re using our main form of advertising with posters. We’ve been asking people if they want to endorse our campaign like teachers, everyone. We plan on making a commercial on the tvs to make our name known.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“We’ve learned a lot about how we need to advertise our campaign to get the word out there. We’ve enjoyed talking with people and hearing their ideas also.”

Campaign #3: DaLynn Pokorny (Candidate), Hailey Larsen (Running Mate), Sabryna Rigel (Campaign Manager), Jordan Rigel (Videographer)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“On thing we’re worried about is the parking at the school. The back lot is confusing and people don’t always park the way they’re supposed to. We want to take the bus barn and move it to the sports complex and add parking spaces. We also want to allow parking between the elementary and the playground, but students can’t leave until after the buses are gone. We want to change WIN time from 2:25 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and have study hall. Students have to pick between WIN and study hall. We want people to be able to do both. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher can leave at 3:00 p.m. if they want to. We want the school to have two entree options and open campus for jr/sr high students.”

What is your strategy to win this election?

“We really want to appeal to our voters and teachers. We’ve done the posters and we plan on doing a video.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“There’s a lot more to elections than to just deciding to run. You have to do a lot of advertising and really think about what you’re proposing. It’s fun to think about the problems, but challenging to think about how you’d fix them.”

Campaign #4: Ryan McLean (Candidate), Logan Brubaker (Running Mate), Cody Jones (Campaign Manager), Levi Beenken (Campaign Manager)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“Our platform is around open campus, good toilet paper and don’t have to serve time if you’re late for school. For open campus, you can go anywhere for lunch, but right now you have to have a parent’s signature and you can’t drive. With toilet, ours isn’t that good. It feels like sandpaper. If you’re late or absent, you have to do detention for 45 minutes.

What is your strategy to win this election?

“We’ve hung up posters around the school and we’re about to get our slogan, ‘Expect Success’ on the TV. We want to put up more posters and get the whole school on our side and not to vote for Katie Kopriva. Don’t vote Katie.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“It’s interesting how we vote for certain people and what they stand for, how they do it.”

Campaign #5: Allison Jones (Candidate), Madi Jantzen (Running Mate), Allie Rund (Treasurer), Abby Jones (Secretary)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“We’re concentrating on WIN time and want people who have good GPA and not failing classes to be able to leave early. We also want people to be able to carry around their backpacks through school. Multiple choice lunches and better toilet paper are issues. We also want open campus lunches.”

What is your strategy to win this election?

“We’ve done posters in the school and talked to multiple teachers. We want to hand out free stuff to make people like us. We’re also bribing people. This is the team that understands people’s struggles.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“It is a popularity contest and money is a big factor. You have to have money to do anything.”

Campaign #6: Luke Pennell (Candidate), Zach Greiner (Running Mate), Cory Isenhower (Treasurer), Skyler Staker (Campaign Manager)

Discuss your campaign and platform for this election.

“We want to bring the app store back for students to do when they’re free in study hall. We also want a more open dress code for students and teachers. That way, teachers can wear jeans instead of khakis because comfortable people are in a better mood.”

What is your strategy to win this election?

“Lots of posters, spread the news, put a commercial on TV.”

What have you learned through this unit in class and campaign thus far?

“It’s tough to get people’s votes and very expensive to get the word about about your ideas. We love just doing stuff with the group.”