Pumpkin party emerges victorious in ap government election

By Eowyn Holmes

This election fosters a sense of engagement and participation, by bringing politics into a fun and safe environment. Students who might not have been interested in politics before were able to see those topics in a positive light.

Fugler mentioned that “[she] also loved engaging with Calvin, [they] actually became good friends through this whole process and the debate felt so respectful and civil.”

The AP Government election can also bring a sense of community, with individuals from different backgrounds and different grades coming together to support one another and support what they believe in. The campaigns were filled with lively discussions, pictures, and activities that really brought our school together.

Overall, this election is more than just a project. This exercise leaves a lasting impact on the members of AP Government, by giving them firsthand experience about the challenges and rewards of running for office, while also giving voters the opportunity to understand the importance of their vote. The AP Government presidential election was held last Tuesday, Nov 5., during red one. After an intense debate, the Pumpkin Party ended up winning the election, with senior Aria Fugler as the president. 

The process of election is very similar to the government process. All attending students met in the gym and listened to both parties share their views on big political topics. Though they had similar views, Fugler won the vote with her vice president Weston Monson.

This large project has been going on for a few months now, and the debate up on stage was the final presentation. “I've never felt more prepared going on to a stage”, Fugler added.

Both parties previewed their beliefs on their Instagram pages, which gave voters an idea of who these candidates were and what they stood for before we see them up on the stage.

This tradition truly is important, as it gives younger audiences the opportunity to practice for state-wide or national elections, as well as giving students the ability to hear about controversial topics in a safe environment, giving them the chance to decide how they feel about certain issues.

The event highlights the importance of respectful discourse, with these candidates, even with different views, being able to civilly discuss what they stand for.