Quaker Valley Observes Constitution Day with Student Council Elections

In honor of Constitution Day, students at Quaker Valley gave speeches in front of the flag pole in hopes of winning an election to student council.

Today officially marks Constitution Day, which recognizes the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, and those who have become citizens, according to ConstitutionDay.com.

R.J. Long, student council adviser and social studies teacher, said the speeches take place every year in conjunction with Constitution Day as part of a school tradition to pick class officers. Students then vote for their favorite two candidates.

Before a field of classmates, students took turns delivering their messages, mimicking a political rally with old-fashioned campaign stumping.

From an eloquent Welsh proverb to quotes from John Quincy Adams and Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa, eight students — four vying for president and four for vice president — drove home the message of why they believed they should be elected to serve their student body. Two students, Lauren Bichsel and Ricky Beatty, ran unopposed for secretary and treasurer and did not have to give speeches.

Madison Pesicka, a candidate for president, said after the speeches that she decided to run because she wanted help her classmates make their new school their own.

“I wanted to show my school spirit and just represent my school in a positive manner,” she said.

Isabella Malcolm said felt it was time to hold a position after serving on council for three years.

“I never ran for anything,” she said.

Claire Torrence ran last year for treasurer and this year as vice president. She said she enjoys student council.

“I like the feeling of having so much power,” she said with a laugh.

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To learn more about the Constitution, click here.