Elementary students from remote island schools up and down the coast are voting this month for a slate of officers for their first inter-island student council.
In the words of Monhegan eighth grader Dalton, “This is the first time we have ever done something like this between the islands. This is truly a historic moment for Maine’s Outer Islands. Although we haven’t yet completed the process of election, we are all very excited”¦”
Dalton is one of the students running for president of the council. A vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and public relations representative will also be elected from among roughly 10 students from Isle au Haut, the Cranberries, Monhegan and Matinicus who have expressed interest in being officers.
Student Council advisors Jessie Campbell, the Monhegan teacher, and Anne Bardaglio, the Outer Islands Teaching and Learning Collaborative Coordinator at the Island Institute, have helped the students use all sorts of technology to get their campaigns underway. No simple paper posters in the hallways for these candidates! In typical one-room school fashion, older students with computer expertise, such as Dylan from Matinicus, are in position to assist their younger classmates with putting together videos and other online presentations. One of the benefits of this process is the opportunity for students to experiment with a variety of “tech platforms” and communications options.
While an introductory exercise in participatory democracy and a good chance to try out some new telecommunications tricks, all acknowledge that this student council is first and foremost “for the fun of it.” As Jessie Campbell points out, “This is the closest thing we’ve ever had to an after-school club.” You can’t exactly form a baseball team or a chorus with kids spread over many miles of water, from Cliff Island to the Cranberry Isles.
This council has every chance of success. The lessons in cooperation, organization, communication and financial planning that come with participation are obviously valuable, but they probably won’t be new ideas. Island children commonly see their parents or neighbors sitting on local boards, voting in town meeting, or getting involved with fundraising and actively dealing with community needs. With no history or school tradition behind this island student council, there are no “ruts” to get stuck in, either. The eighth-graders don’t run everything, and kids from certain “cliques” don’t have precedence—because there are no cliques! These students may well be able to accomplish a lot more than they realize starting out. Island teachers are eager to encourage student participation in curriculum development and project planning, expanding communications between the islands, and putting together inter-island activities.
Dylan, who is running for treasurer against Joe from Islesford, points out that he runs his own chocolate business, has saved up the money for his iPad, and knows quite a bit about saving, budgeting and spending wisely. Fiona from Matinicus notes her own good handwriting as one reason why she should be elected council secretary. Alex’s campaign for president from Isle au Haut focuses on his interest in field trips, and he offers suggestions for places to go. Emma from Matinicus told me that she would “take everybody’s thoughts into consideration and make sure everything’s fair for all ages” as president. Louise, a fourth grader from Islesford running for vice-president obviously has the respect of her classmates who tell her that “if there are problems”¦I think you could easily fix them.” Immediate goals of the candidates range from the extraordinary: (“We’d do science experiments such as cold fusion”¦”) to the incontrovertible (“”¦better sandwiches on trips, not just PB&J or turkey”). Power to the people!
Meg, aneighth-grader from Islesford running for PR rep, is known as an excellent writer and public speaker. Sometimes courage and leadership come in small packages, though. Third-grader Beatrice from Islesford is also running for council PR rep., and one of her classmates offers a video testimonial for her, stating among other things that, “I think you would be brave and talk to people you don’t know.” That’s major!
Above all, as Jessie Campbell reminds us, it’s going to be fun. “I hope we can have things like school colors and Spirit Week.” No matter who ends up as president or holding any other office, all interested students are welcome in council meetings and activities. Quinn from Monhegan makes it clear that he doesn’t want to be “treasurer or vice-president or secret service or anything,” he just wants to be on the student council.
Eva Murray is a freelance writer living on Matinicus.