Jessica Eule Vice President of Senior Class Parsippany, New Jersey

It's important to set yourself apart somehow, otherwise all the speeches just sound the same. Last year, the guy that won promised that he would turn our gym into a WCW wrestling ring and have wrestling every Friday, and we could all have the chance to powerbomb our principal. It was damn funny.

Jamie Messer President, National Honor Society Burlington, Iowa

In 8th grade, a guy who nobody really knew got up and gave the funniest speech. The joke was -- because it was a year when both a teacher and the founder of the school had died -- "As Treasurer, I'd like to see us spend some of our class's money to build a memorial tribute for Mrs. Schultz and Dr. MacMillan and all the other teachers who died this year." It was the blatant lack of respect in his deadpan delivery that made it so hilarious. The whole room was cracking up (even the teachers in the room), and he won by a landslide.

Mindy Walker Voter Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The things that really influenced me were the people that just had fun with their speeches. One kid won with a campaign promise of quilted toilet paper for a week in the bathrooms. Another guy quoted and then interpreted the unintelligible words of some obscure WWF friend of his. What counts is that you have fun, because if you're not having fun, you can bet they won't be either.

Dan Lash Voter Overland Park, Kansas

Something that a guy at my high school promised to do if he was elected -- our locker rooms smelled pretty bad, so he promised to get rid of the "pee" smell that invaded our locker rooms. I think that is what got him elected.

Tara Howard Voter Riverbank, California

If your school has a uniform, a good idea would be to fight for a relaxed dress code... if not a permanent one, maybe twice a month so the school doesn't feel like a jail.... the person who did this won.

J.R. Kennie Student Senate Representative River Forest, Illinois

I had a friend who ran for office in band and one of her goals was to clean off the teacher's desk. Everyone laughed at that and voted for her.

Crystal Crowell Voter Whitehall, Ohio

One idea is to offer a Student Council sponsored "Clean Our Highways" day. I proposed this to the students during my speech and they bought it. We ended up with 200 out of a Senior class of 1000 cleaning the road one Saturday morning. We got our pictures in the paper and everything...

G. Jeffrey O'Malley Student Council Representative Frankfort, Illinois

Our Senior Class President was elected because she promised to bring back the Senior Trip. She gave out fliers for a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, and was elected the next second. She successfully appealed to the majority of the Seniors, because who could turn down a 300 dollar trip to Mexico for a week with no chaperones?

Amanda Terrill Voter Phoenix, Arizona

One brave kid at my school won the election for school president on the platform of putting a pencil sharpener in every room. It takes a lot of guts to stand up in front of the school and say something that may sound that stupid, but it shows that you're not afraid to look dumb, and that you really want to do something worthwhile for the school. (If you don't need pencil sharpeners in your school, substitute something else that should be commonplace, but isn't.)

Evan Lewis Voter Scarsdale, New York

A girl who was running for president of our Sophomore class put a big emphasis on making sure the bathrooms are clean and have doors on every stall, and good stuff like that. It drew a huge response from my friends (mostly the football players), with lots of hoots and hollering, and she left to a bigger standing ovation than any of the other candidates (even the football players and cheerleaders who were running). She ended up winning the election. This shows the importance of some issues to people, no matter how outrageous, and, I guess, also shows that anyone can win.

Kevin Gogan Voter Bloomington, Minnesota

Some students running for Class Representative are just kidding around. They go on stage and say, "Well, girls and boys, last year the toilet paper was way too hard. Let's fight together, all fight for a better world, fight for softer toilet paper!" And it works! I have to confess that we don't really take these elections very seriously because we all know these Class Representatives are not very powerful and can't really change much. Anybody who's really crazy or funny gets elected!

Beatrice Flaig Voter Lower Saxony, Germany

I saw this guy give a speech. He wasn't the smallest guy in the world -- okay let's get down to it, he was "husky," "chunky," whatever you want to call it, he was fat. My favorite part of his speech was, "Remember, there is more of me to work for you." I thought that was awesome, because he was joking around and not taking himself too seriously...

Bart Edwards Voter San Diego, California

One fellow running for Secretary of the Student Government stood behind the podium and read a fairly bizarre but extremely articulate speech, without looking at the audience once. One of his suggestions was that we change the school's mascot to an iguana -- he made positive analogies and comparisons of iguanas and their abilities and behaviors and such to the student-body. He so impressed the student-body with his mad but entertaining genius that they elected him.

Joe Kaufman Voter Scarsdale, New York

One guy who was elected President when I was a Junior dressed up as Forrest Gump and began his speech, "My name is Matt Brass, and I'm running for President. Would you like a chocolate? Mama always said..." You know the rest. Even though he had everyone laughing hysterically, at the end of his speech he got serious and said that he loved our school and the student body. He got the attention of the crowd, but then he also showed that he wasn't in it just for fun and games.

Leanne Suber Voter Newnan, Georgia

One great line from a campaign speech (spoken very clearly, with each syllable of his name spoken one at a time, slowly): "My name is Jack Stahlman. Take a good look at me." He then proceeded to turn sideways to give us all a good look at his mugshot. It was a riot. He won by a landslide.

Chad Silker Student Body President Rochester, Minnesota

One of the guys running for Student Body President gave a spectacular speech. It had very little to do with platform or goals or anything, it just made us laugh. He started talking about the old TV show "Saved By the Bell" and of course everyone had seen the show, knew all the characters, etc. The funny thing was, no would have admitted to watching that show. But he knew that even though we were cool about it in the halls, that we really had seen the show, and he used it to give a very funny speech. I don't even remember how it related to the rest of his speech, but he basically told about one episode in which Zach, Kelly, Screech, Slater, Jessie, and Lisa were all trying to save the Max because the school board wanted to turn it into a parking lot. As it turns out, almost everyone had seen that exact same episode! At first we were all reluctant to admit it, because it was kind of a dorky show, but it put us all on the same level. By bringing up this subject that we (even as Freshmen) acted "too cool for," he made himself seem very real. He wasn't some bloated cocky jerk like some of the other candidates, he was just one of us. By making himself just another student, we were all more apt to vote for him because he would know how to represent the average student. It worked, and he was elected President.

Josh Bean Voter Colorado Springs, Colorado

One guy delivered such a funny speech that he won, hands down, because of it. He was Asian, and his speech was something to the effect of, "When I was a little boy growing up in Korea, my mother was very ill. She took me to her bedside and said, 'Son, I am dying and I have one last wish for you. You must become SGA President.' So I must now honor my mother's wish and serve as President. If you do not vote for me, you will be betraying my mother's last wish." It really was very funny.

Nicole Steinmetz Voter McLean, Virginia

My speech went something like this (or at least the funny part): "I come from a family where both my parents are accountants. So I hear my father say (in father-like demanding voice), 'Son, be an accountant,' and I hear my mother say (in high pitched, fast voice), 'You know, dear, I'll support you in whatever you do, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd be an accountant.' So, I decided to run for Treasurer and fulfill some of my parents wishes. Today, I ask you to help me in that effort."

Kenneth G. Pittman State Mu Alpha Theta Treasurer Knoxville, Tennessee

A guy running for Secretary started his speech by announcing that he was dropping out of the race. Then, over the speakers, came a pre-recorded tape of what was supposed to be the voice of God (really, his voice), telling him not to be a fool, and to stay in the race. It was really funny and people remembered it and he won.

Laura Marshburn School Spirit Commissioner Palo Alto, California

A guy who ran for A.S.B. President my Junior year played the Superman music in the background while he read his speech. He started mentioning the traits that he felt he had in common with Superman and, at the climax of the music and his speech, he ripped open his shirt and underneath was a Superman shirt. He won, and I think it was because he used something that the students really felt they could relate to and enjoy, not to mention that it was very memorable.

Jennifer L. Stair Voter Kennewick, Washington

"Okay, everyone stand up. Now move one step to your left. Now move one step to your right. Now sit down. Thank you. My father said that I would win if I could move the crowd."

Maynard James Keenan Middle School President Bedford, Massachusetts

The best and most amusing campaign speech I ever saw went like this: the candidate got up to make his speech. He said he had a little demonstration to show us. He hit a tape player and then began STRIPPING! First his belt, then his shirt and pants. With these off, he stood there in gym shorts and a Student Council Shirt. He stopped the music. He looked at his watch and said, "If I can make this sort of change in fifteen seconds, think what I could do with a whole school year." The audience whooped and hollered and was going nuts. He simply walked off stage after that and won the Senior Class Vice-Presidency by a landslide. Everyone else droned on for ten minutes, and I remember nothing from their speeches, but I will remember the "strip show" forever.

Sarah Oltvedt Voter Kansas City, Missouri

For my speech, I did a take-off of David Letterman's Top 10 List. I did the top 10 reasons to vote for me, and I used certain inside jokes that only the students would understand, like certain rules and incidents that happened. Well, it worked and I won! Always put a little of yourself and your personality in your speeches and your campaign. No one wants to vote for the "same ol' Joe." You have to give people a little bit of flavor.

Erin June Homecoming Queen Tampa, Florida

Here are a few things that I've witnessed: wearing a full chicken suit when giving the campaign speech; choosing a random TV character as one's campaign "mascot" and putting this character on all of the posters. (My friend used Mr. Drummond and Arnold from Different Strokes, and made little hand held signs with their heads on them for people to wave while he was making his speech); wearing a really scary '70s outfit while giving the speech and pretending nothing is the matter...

Liz Allison Voter Garden City, New York

I remember a speech someone gave about how students were forced to use those tiny brown paper squares in the bathrooms while the faculty bathrooms had real toilet paper. I don't remember anything he said, but I remember him holding a roll of toilet paper he had stolen from the faculty bathroom in triumph! Sometimes a little symbolism that people will remember goes a lot further than a long meaningful speech.

Adrian Gell Voter LaGrangeville, New York

One boy used a story book theme. He walked up on stage with a tall red and white striped hat on his head. With a lot of confidence, he plopped himself down on the edge of the stage, feet dangling over, and pulled out a huge colorful book that he had made himself. The story went along the lines of "The Cat in the Hat." It talked about him, his qualifications, and even had a little storyline about the Cat in the Hat character trying to help him win this election. The book had the rhyming rhythm that Doctor Seuss used, and included large pictures that could be seen by all the audience, which he held up as if he were reading a bedtime story to children. It was extremely funny and very creative.

Krista Dillinger Voter Colorado Springs, Colorado

One year we were listening to speeches and there were a lot of candidates running. By the time my friend had gone up to give her speech, everyone was inattentive and talking loudly and had ignored the past three speeches that were given -- every candidate's nightmare. So when she walked up to the podium to give her speech, she brought three or four balloons up to the microphone and popped all of them with a needle. Everyone was quiet and staring at her and she began her speech with, "Well, now that I have your attention..." She won the election and that is the one speech I still remember to this day.

Sheila Miller Voter Winter Park, Florida

During the speech, this candidate somehow left the stage with out anyone noticing him leave. Then, when it was time for him to come to the podium, you saw a black cardboard box "driving" out onto the stage area. His friends were in suits, standing like secret service men around the auditorium. The soon-to-be President walked out and gave a speech about the future of every individual (that some people will succeed and some will fail, and how some friends will separate over time and some will get closer, and even though bad things happen, we could always look back to the best year we had in high school). Then he talked about himself and the promises he would commit himself to, and how he would help make it a good year. The rest of the assembly was long and boring, but everyone remembered his name and what he did to get elected.

Betsy Hill Voter Richmond, Virginia

This only works with elementary school elections, in which most of the student body is very young and doesn't know the people who are running for offices. When I was 5 years old, there was a kid running for school President. I didn't even know him, but during his campaign speech, he did something very simple: he made a gigantic "sample" ballot and with one of those gigantic inflatable pencils he pretended to check off his name on the huge sample ballot he had written his name on. Every student who was under 10 years old thought that was a really cool thing, and he was the ONLY one we remembered, so we all voted for him. In an election in which you are dealing with really young kids, the only important thing is to make sure that they KNOW YOUR NAME. In most cases, it will be the only name on the ballot which they know.

Syd Gernstein Voter McLean, Virginia

In sixth grade, I gave a campaign speech where I brought in a grocery bag full of items that can be found at your typical grocery store. I started out by saying, "When I sat down to write my speech, my mom made me go to the grocery store, so all I have is this bag of groceries..." Then, I carefully took all the items out, one piece at a time, while saying a catchy phrase about each item. For example, "I will do the TOTAL job as President" [showing Total cereal]. I had about 10-15 products, like Pledge, Thank You cherry pie filling, and others like that. The speech helped me pull off a stunning upset against a more popular student for President of my grade school.

Michael Mills Student Body President Whitehouse, Ohio

A kid who won the Class President election had a very interesting speech. His approach was sort of a "Here's what I'm willing to do for YOU!" kind of thing. What he did was take off his shoe and put all kinds of disgusting things in it, making jokes and anecdotes the whole time, then he put the shoe back on. Kids love that sort of stuff! They got all excited and laughed and said, "eeew gross." It was a blast! He won by a landslide. Of course, this was way back in elementary school...

Nicole Osborn Voter Chandler, Arizona

One of the things a previous Student Body President did was he made a strange concoction of Coco, Wheaties, Syrup, Tabasco Sauce, and green peppers. He ate it and said nobody but a Student Body President who cared would do that.

Amanda A. Zahm Voter American Falls, Idaho

Usually the Freshmen really don't know who to vote for because they're new to the school. So this girl used as her campaign manager a janitor that was very popular and that everyone knew, especially the Freshmen. She had him even come on air with her (during televised speeches) wearing her pins and buttons and signs and he was so funny that anyone who was undecided or didn't care voted for her, not because she was popular, but because she made it funny and got someone that everyone knew involved.

Jennifer Galipault Student Council Treasurer Fort Lauderdale, Florida

At one of the assemblies -- a talent show or air-band or something -- one of the popular basketball players did a Blues Brothers routine which was so awesome that everyone stood up and screamed for him and then talked about it for weeks. I didn't know this guy very well (he was 2 grades ahead of me), but I asked him one day if he would help me with my campaign by introducing me at the speeches assembly. I told him he could say "no" if he didn't want to, but he didn't mind at all. He was great. He loved the opportunity to get up in front of the students again, and I loved the "coolness factor" that rubbed off onto my campaign when he told the student body, in his own style, that they should all vote for me.

Frank Shepard Student Council Vice-President Turtle Bay, New York

A few years ago, one of the guys had guys in the background singing the whole time, "Vote for E-Train" -- and he won overwhelmingly because it was a really good beat and an easy thing to remember. The dumb thing stuck in your head and people were singing it all day long.

Tammy Rosenberg Student Body President Raleigh, North Carolina

I remember one boy who added into his speech a funny joke about a teacher. It was all prearranged and the teacher had previously consented, so it was not offensive to anyone. That made everyone laugh and undoubtedly swayed some voters.

Jennifer Brown Voter Oxnard, California

A girl demonstrated everyone arriving in high school for the first day. She had the guys dress up as girls, and the girls dress up as guys, then she used them to act out little skits to illustrate, while she explained the things she would do to make high school year great and prosperous.

Charisse Dillon Voter Simi Valley, California

There was this guy running for Class President who was taking off his clothes while he was speaking, because as part of his speech, he kept saying, as he took off each piece, "I have nothing to hide! I have nothing to hide!" It was really funny. Everyone got a big laugh, and of course he won.

Julie Mufson Voter Ann Arbor, Michigan

At a pep rally we had, the guy swim team stripped to our speedos and ran around the gym, getting everyone going. Since we did that stunt without permission, they can now only take their shirts off... But I won the election by a landslide.

Dustin M. Houseman Class President York, Pennsylvania

I convinced 9 graduating Senior athletes to come out in front of the Senior class, rip off their shirts, and have D-O-U-G-4-P-R-E-Z spelled out on their chests. I handily won the election.

Doug Regner Senior Class President Tempe, Arizona

My friend Jessica, who won President of the entire school body, gave an election speech which was based on a theme of cooperation. In it, she had her boyfriend come up on stage and they did a swingdancing routine together (with a lot of cooperation needed for throwing the partner around and such). They were amazing, and people loved it! She then gave a short speech about cooperation, which was to be her main focus if she won the position... to work WITH the school administration and cooperate with not only them, but with the students as well.

Liberty Harper Student Government Representative Encinitas, California

The people who fared well were often not "the cool kids," but those who would demand attention during their campaigns. For example, the guy who won for Senior Class President worked off a Pulp Fiction / James Bond theme. He and his friends wore full suits to school the day of candidate speeches and voting. Then, during speeches, for his turn, there was just a chair out in the middle of the gym floor. Some 007 music began to play and a guy came out and placed a briefcase on the chair. Then he left and a few seconds later another guy came out, picked up the briefcase and sat down in the chair. He opened the briefcase and took out a letter. In the meantime, the music had softened up and a voice was reading the letter aloud. The letter stated why the class members should vote for this candidate (without trashing the other candidates) and the last line, in typical James Bond fashion, was "this letter will self-destruct in five seconds." The guy who was reading the letter jumped out of the seat and ran out of the gym... It was an effective campaign -- it's been almost 2 years and I still remember it.

Anne Murphy State House of Reps. Minority Leader Boston, Massachusetts