Election Tuesday: The Vote

We’ve been preparing for this important day for quite a while.

To comply with Title IV Federal Student Aid Assistance program regulations, Shepherds College distributed voter registration information and registration forms to the students. Academic Advisors met with the students who decided to vote to explain and complete the form. 

Some students chose to vote absentee through their home town.

Liz, from the Village Clerk’s office, came to campus to help the students who wanted to vote locally complete the registration process. 

In Personal Development, the students learned about debates and what people do to try to persuade you to their way of thinking. They even practiced their own persuasive speaking in class by picking an infomercial product to sell to their classmates in an “As Seen On TV” speech.

Then, they watched the Presidential Debates and critiqued the two candidates on their public speaking skills.

 “I have seen that both candidates use good posture, good tone of voice, and good use of hand gestures. I think that the importance of a good speaker is to be confident and not nervous about anything they talk about. They both had their eyes at the audience and not at their papers. I would give them a 95% because they looked at their papers often and said “um” a few times.”  ~ Kathryn

“They dressed professionally and they talked loud to the audience, and they used gestures. They have good posture and they are not nervous when they give speeches. They were confident talking. They talked too fast – their grade was an A-.”  ~Maika

“They had hand movements, good eye, dress perfection, and good tone of voice. They speak very well with courage. I would tell them to talk softly, to give examples on what they plan to do to help people. They had a little aggression and they kept looking down at their notes. It is important to learn how to speak publicly to help get jobs and maybe a government job.”  ~ Philip

The students learned about each party’s platform on their own, and formed their own decisions regarding which candidate they’d like to see lead this country. Their advisors showed them a copy of a sample ballot ahead of time so they knew what to expect in the voting booth.

On November 1^st, Mr. Wright and Mrs. Kolkman drove the students to the Union Grove Village Hall to vote early, but before leaving they reminded the students how to mark the ballots for the candidate they chose. They also asked them to comply with election laws by not talking about who they were voting for at the polling place.

When they arrived at Village Hall, each student quietly completed the ballot and turned it into the clerk.

The students were very excited about this chance to vote in a major election – for many, it was their first time they voted – and they loved the “I Voted” stickers!

Through this democratic process, the students learned that they have the ability to cause change. They can make choices on who to place in positions of authority; they can impact the direction of the country; and they can help shape the future of their families, communities and nation.

Isn’t that what Appropriate Independence is all about?

"By Me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by Me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth." Proverbs 8:15-16

“…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Daniel 4:25b

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.