V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Ariel did it! She is the 2008-2009 E.R. Dickson Student Council President! It was a tough competition this year. There were about 8 other very capable 5th graders running for the office as well.

We are VERY HAPPY for her, and a bit surprised. Only surprised because Ariel has always settled for being a class representative, which requires no campaigning as well as no speech in front of the 3-5th grade student body. Ariel usually likes to take the easy way out, not that she is not capable of doing more (trust me, she is) she just likes to make her life as easy as possible-very seldom up for a challenge.

So what made the difference this year? Why would she decide to run for President? I think two individuals played key roles:

1. Mr. Baker. Remember Ariel's homeroom teacher? About 3 weeks ago, Mr. Baker gave a punishment to all the students who had bottom cubbies (the place where they keep their back packs) in the classroom. Apparently, the majority of the children with bottom cubbies went crazy when it was time to pack up, so he gave everyone with a bottom cubbie an assignment to write a 2 page essay on the proper way to go to your cubbie. This was in addition to the other homework and was due the next day. Ariel complained a little because she had just returned from the nurses office when the whole drama went down, but was given the assignment as well. I was in full support of Mr. Baker. I thought it taught a valuable lesson that our actions affect others besides ourselves, as well as a lesson on those who we associate with (guilt by association). Although Ariel argued with my reasoning for supporting Mr. Baker, she did the assignment all on her own begrudgingly.

The next day, Mr. Baker drew names for two individuals to read their essay to the class . Ariel's name was pulled first. Apparently, Ariel humored her class with her essay (I wish I had a copy of it, but Mr. Baker kept it) and her class cheered her on when she was finished. Later that day, Mr. Baker told me that she did a really great job speaking to the class, and told Ariel that he believed in a few years that we would all see her speaking at the Republican or Democratic National Convention. He told me that she had the class energized and that it was great. Well, Ariel took this to heart and decided that he was right, she could be speaking in those venues, and that she may as well start practicing. She decided to run for Student Council President.

2. Mrs. Fox, Ariel's PACE (the class for gifted students) teacher has always encouraged her students to run for office. She is such a great teacher and always is so very supportive of Ariel. So I think she also played a role in Ariel running.

Once Ariel decided to do this, she began coming up with poster ideas. Here are her posters.

This one hung in the 4th grade hall.

This one hung in the gym.

This one hung in the 3rd grade hall.

And this one hung in the 5th grade hall. Can you tell she is a tom boy?

Then last Friday at 1:45 pm the assembly was held for those running to give their speeches. It was funny because Ariel decided to wear her uniform skirt and white shirt because she thought it looked more professional AND she thought it would appeal to the girl voters. The whole time I had to keep reminding her to sit "lady like". Too funny.

I wish that I had recorded this. I know I should not be prideful, but as Ariel delivered her speech, I was very proud of her. It is something that I know I could not have done at her age.

Her speech was different, just like her. I starting to realize that's what people like about her. The more I try to mold her into what I want her to be, the more it comes back to me that she is perfect just the way Heavenly Father made her--also more successful.

She did not get up and say that she had straight A's, was honest, loyal, etc. (like many others said in their speeches) and as I encouraged her to do. She said that was bragging and that people knew she had good grades because you can't run if you don't. So I offered her a few more suggestions and she asked me, "Who's running for President, me or you?"

So I stepped back and said, "OKAY then, do what YOU want to do". And she did just that. Secretly, I thought, "She is so going to mess up".

Little did I know. Her speech was great!

She got up there told them that she had experience as a Student Council member for the past two years along with a few other things, and then she had the kids raise their hands in the air and say, "I promise to vote for Ariel Odom".

Then she said, "Just kidding". She told them that she loved E.R. Dickson and would promise them that she would make it the best Student Council ever.

She said a few other things, but the part that stands out in my mind was toward the end. She said, "What is the best school in Mobile?" and the children yelled, "E.R. DICKSON."

Ariel stopped and said something like, "Come on, you all can do better than that! What is the best school in Mobile? and the kids yelled, "E.R. DICKSON!" really loud.

Then she said real loud, "AND WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE BEST SCHOOL?" and surprisingly the children all yelled, "ARIEL ODOM!" (She later told me that she thought they would not say her name so she had planned to say, "HEY, you promised remember!"

The kids were cheering for her. As a mom, it was nice to see my "oldest baby" being well received by her peers because we know kids can be mean. But not that day.

Later that night, Ariel told us that at that last part of her speech, for just a few minutes, she felt like she knew what it was like to be popular, and she was basking in the glory of that moment because it would probably never happen again. LOL! We reminded her that popularity is not everything. But I could understand her thinking. We all want people to like us.

Anyway, all weekend we were anxious for Monday morning to roll around to find out the results. When Monday finally came around, we were ecstatic to hear Ariel's name announced.

I know she will make a great President. More than that I know that the Lord has big plans for that little girl--I just don't know what yet. I'm also glad that Heavenly Father gave this special spirit to us because I learn something from her everyday and that is a VICTORY for ME!