Junior High Elections

I can't remember if this memory is from the 8th or 9th grade, but I suppose it doesn't matter.  However, it's one that I think is kinda cool.  Last night was election night for the 44th president and Barack Obama won!  Anyway, it brought back memories of when my best friend, Jen and I helped Jon Day run for office for the student body.  I'm pretty sure he ran for president.  Could've been Vice President.  In any case, he was a very shy kid.  He hardly spoke to people and when he did he was incredibly quiet.  At first, Jen and I weren't real sure how serious to take his running and people teased about how they'd vote for him as a joke.  Well, it pissed us off.  Jon was a small boy and he struggled at home (from what I understood).  Jen and I got to a point that we realized he needed to win...for him.  Not pity votes, but legitimate votes.  We worked with him after school and practiced speeches and made several posters to put up throughout the school.  We even got after him for being too quiet!  We'd get mad and break him down and rebuild his spirit.  We just couldn't accept failure!!!  We also demanded that he get a haircut and wear nice clothes for the big day.  When the big day came, Jen and I were über enthusiastic and introduced him with "HERE'S JONNY!"  He gave a LOUD and great speech!  When he was done, the whole student body erupted with applause (not exaggerating).  It was such a great moment and we were really proud of him.  We knew he was being taken seriously, which actually made us a little nervous that the competition might actually be competition.  However, in the end, Jon ended up winning.  He ran years to follow and won then, too!  Feel good memory. :)