BERLIN, CT — With Election Day arriving Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters have plenty of candidates to consider.
But a group of Berlin fifth-graders is hoping residents will cast another ballot this week — for a four-legged contender named Elsa.
Elsa isn't running for governor, Congress, or any other political office.
She's a calf from Laurelbrook Farm in East Canaan, and she has the enthusiastic backing of students in Michelle Wade's fifth-grade class at Griswold Elementary School in Kensington.
The students are campaigning for Elsa in Discover Dairy's America's Favorite Calf Contest, a national competition featuring 82 calves.
And like any determined campaign team, they've turned to the local news media to get the word out.
In a letter to Berlin Patch, the students made their case for their favorite candidate.
"There are 82 calves competing in this competition, and we really want Elsa to be voted best calf because she is important to our class and she is really cute," the students wrote.
The competition's voting period begins Monday, Nov. 2, and ends Wednesday, Nov. 4, giving Elsa's supporters three days to make their voices heard.
While the timing coincides with Election Day, the contest has another purpose beyond selecting a winning calf.
Wade adopted Elsa through Discover Dairy, an educational program that connects classrooms with dairy farming and gives students opportunities to learn about agriculture.
The students said the experience will help them understand farming, its environmental impact, and the importance of communication.
"Because Mrs. Wade adopted a calf, we will learn about farming, how farming affects the environment, how to write an email, and use social media," the students wrote.
They've already put one of those lessons into practice.
Their letter to Patch, signed by Izzy on behalf of Wade's fifth-grade class, was a pitch to encourage community participation in the contest.
The students explained who Elsa is, where she lives, why she matters to their classroom, and how residents can vote.
And they made one final appeal.
"If you would like, we would love for you to vote for our cow Elsa!" they wrote.
How To Vote For Elsa
Residents who want to participate in America's Favorite Calf Contest can find the voting information online.
To vote for Elsa, click on this link.
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