Your school’s student council gives you a voice in student activities and with the administration. Additionally, it is a good thing to have on your college application. In order to make it onto the student council, you must first give a speech and collect votes.
How to Write an Election Speech
Make your speech memorable by following these suggestions. Your speech should be tailored to your school and position.
Open With a Humorous Story
During prom, many of you remember me for tripping over my feet and falling face first off the stage. I decided I could face you today once I got over my embarrassment.
What I’ve Done Already
My goal at Sample High School was to become more involved from the moment I arrived. Whether it be serving as the Features Editor of the school newspaper or helping plan prom, I consistently take on leadership roles at this school.
I’m probably familiar to many of you because of my work with Key Club and my volunteer work at Sunnyvale Nursing Home.
Running for the Role of _______
I have decided to run for student council in the role of __________, which probably won’t surprise you. As student council __________ (role), I will strive to improve the school for every student at Sample High.
I Understand and Can Do the Job
In order to ensure student events are successful throughout the year, the student council works closely with the student body and the administration. During this year, I will ensure that you have a memorable experience.
Please Vote for Me
I am asking for your vote today for _____. In the event that you elect me, I will listen to your concerns and work hard to address them. I appreciate your help.
Class or School President Speech Examples
You need to make sure your speech stands out if you’re running for the highest position in your school or class.
Make the Opening Stand Out
My name is John Doe, and I am a junior. It’s unlikely that I’ll lead a senior prank or skip class with you, but that’s probably not what you want from your class president. I offer steadfastness, hard work, and the ability to work with others under difficult circumstances while maintaining a sense of humor.
Last year, I was able to reinstate the salad bar in the cafeteria by starting a petition, getting many of you to sign it, and taking it to Principal Smith. As a result of our collaboration, we were able to bring back the salad bar, and it is now even better than before.
My Credentials
Over the last three years at Sample High School, I have been involved in a variety of activities. I’ve played basketball, played in the school band for a short time, worked on various committees, and tutored students after school.
I was adopted into the National Honor Society last year and started a weekly after-school club for airplane enthusiasts.
What I’ll Do for You
As your student council president, I pledge to end all homework. I’m kidding. I can’t do that, but I can be your voice with the school administration and work to make this Sample High’s best year ever.
We will work together to help the community through volunteer work and to show them how dedicated the students at Williams are to helping them. I will introduce ideas for events, such as a weekly sock hop after high school basketball games.
Ask for the Vote
It would be greatly appreciated if you voted for me for president. No matter how big or small the issue may be, I will continue to fight for what is important to students. Together, let’s make a difference in this community and around the world.
Vice President Speech Sample
To gain student confidence, a vice presidential speech must be highly effective.
Greeting
Rather than introducing myself and what I’m running for, which will cause you to tune me out and stare at the smudge on your left shoe, I’m going to tell you my favorite memory from high school.
I had no idea how to get to my classes on my first day at Sample High School. I was lost in this big school.
As I was rushing around trying to find my class, I tripped and fell flat on the floor in front of the cutest guy I’d ever seen. As well as helping me up, several other students rushed to help me, got me to my classroom, and made me feel better about how silly I was.
It was at that moment that I fell in love with Sample High School. Helping each other is something you don’t find just anywhere.
Why I’m VP Material
In addition to wanting to give back to the high school I love so much, I am running for Vice President of the student council. My goal is to be a friendly face for new students and a defender for current students.
During the last two years, I have prepared myself to serve as Vice President by organizing a fan club to cheer on our football players at home and to ensure our school is represented at away games.
I have worked as an office aid, learning about the daily running of the school while silently taking notes on what we can do to improve things and how we can work with the administration.
What I’ll Do as Vice President
In my role as Vice President, I will support your president and step in when she isn’t able to attend or needs extra assistance. As a student council member, I’ll participate in prom, graduation, and homecoming planning.
I will always be here to listen to your concerns or to help you if you fall flat on your face.
Ask for Their Vote
Please vote for me for vice president of the student council. As a student here, I want to be helpful, and I want us all to create memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime. All I need to do now is get off this stage without falling on my face.
Secretary Election Speech Sample
Explain why you are the best candidate for the secretary position in your speech.
Opening
I want to share something with you today that you might not be aware of about me. I have been taking guitar lessons since I was five years old. Every night when I get home, I pick up my Fender and play a few of my favorite classic rock songs to relieve any stress from the day.
Why You Should Elect Me
It takes a lot of time and persistence to learn to play an instrument. At times, I just wanted to quit because my fingers were raw from trying to learn a new chord or that song just didn’t sound right. I persevered until I overcame the challenge, and I will do the same as your secretary.
In the event that there is an issue that needs to be resolved, I will not quit until we come up with a solution. I will bring your concerns to the other council members and, as with learning a new chord, I will stick with it until it is resolved.
Ask for the Vote
Please vote for me as secretary of the student council. Maybe I’ll even bring my guitar to a student council meeting or two and just set it by my side as a reminder why we need to work hard to succeed.
Treasurer Election Speech Example
During the speech, the class treasurer should demonstrate trustworthiness and math skills.
Beginning of Speech
Greetings, fellow students and staff!
In spite of the fact that I don’t like to brag, I’m really good at math. You all who are really good at English hate me right now, I know. If it makes you feel any better, English is a difficult language.
Since the treasurer is responsible for keeping track of money and numbers, I am a perfect candidate for the position.
What I’ve Done
In the past two years, I have been a member of Jackson High’s Mathletes. If you’re not familiar with this group, we are a group of math lovers who participate in events. In the last three years, we have won state twice.
I am also a member of the orchestra. At school basketball games and throughout the school year, we perform.
Ask for the Vote
To keep track of all those numbers, the treasurer of the student council must be good at math. I’ll make sure our numbers add up if you vote for me. Because I love numbers, I’ll also have fun doing it.
Pulling From Different Candidacy Speeches
Another option is to pull elements from a variety of speeches that you like the most. For example, perhaps you like the opening of one speech and the ending of another. I have included some additional sample speeches below to add to the above selection.
- You can begin your speech on a lighter note by using a funny introduction for Student Council Speeches.
- You can inject some humor into your speeches by using Funny Speech Examples for Kids.
- There is an example of a treasurer speech in the Student Council Speech for Treasurer.
Here is an example of a funny student council speech. Daisy Thomas pokes fun at her school and herself, but it’s all good-natured and you can tell she cares about her school. Her speech follows the format of who she is, what she’s running for, what she believes in, and what she plans to do for the school.
Making Your Student Council Speech Stand Out
There are certain traits and promises the student body expects from each candidate’s speech, but they want to choose one candidate who stands out. You may need to make a great speech even if you’re running for a smaller position, like PR officer or sergeant-at-arms.
These tips will help you make your speech the most memorable one in the room.
- Find synonyms for common words used to describe the position you are running for in a thesaurus. You can use words like meticulous or assiduous when other secretarial candidates mention their attention to detail.
- Give your speech a multidimensional feel by using props, a themed outfit, or specific hand gestures.
- Organize your presentation around a specific social media platform, a historical event, or a sports event. Consider a theme that relates well to the position you are seeking.
- Create a catchphrase that captures the spirit of your speech to keep the student body talking.
- You can customize a famous speech by changing a few words and keeping the most famous lines.
- Make the speech more engaging by adding sound effects, song lyrics, or music.
- It doesn’t matter how big or small the position is, keep your speech short and to the point.
- In smaller roles, such as sergeant-at-arms, auditors, or public relations, highlight your qualifications and provide vivid examples.
Delivering the Speech
Practicing your speech alone and in front of an audience can help you deliver your speech with confidence once you have prepared it. No matter if your speech is lighthearted and funny, or serious and to the point, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Your speech should include the following:
- You should maintain eye contact with those you are speaking to and avoid focusing on one person too much.
- Keep going even if you make a mistake. There is no one who knows how your speech should sound.
- To calm nerves, practice deep breathing or mindfulness exercises beforehand.
- The morning of your speech, visualize yourself giving a good speech.
- As nerves can cause you to speak more rapidly, take deep breaths throughout your speech and speak a bit slower than you normally would.
Student Council Speech Jokes
A bit of humor can help you better connect with your audience, while making your speech stand out. Try using silly jokes, sarcasm, or inside jokes that only those attending your school would understand. Consider the following:
- In a serious tone, he said, “Sit back and relax. I’ve got about three hours of material to cover.”
- Saying, “Now for my speech.” after your speech.
- A funny example would be, “I’m as passionate about organization as (insert teacher) after he/she has finished his/her coffee.
- As much as (teacher) cares about (insert book, movie, or learning principle that teacher frequently discusses).
- It was really nerve-wracking to give this speech, so I practiced a lot in front of my (insert pet) and he/she said it could be improved, so I guess I’ll just do my best.”
- The self-deprecating humor of “My annoying need to be organized and scheduled would make me a great candidate for this position.”
Make Your Election Speech Memorable
Whether you use one of the samples listed here or write a completely new speech, be sure to add a personal touch. Focusing on your skills, passions, and what makes you unique will help you show confidence in front of your classmates and show them a side of you they may not have seen before.
Whether you win or lose the election, you can hold your head high knowing you gave your best performance.