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Lower School Students Elect Remote-Controlled Cars as the New Fall Festival Booth
On Tuesday, October 22, the Lower School hosted a student-led primary election to select a new booth for The Bush School’s 2025 Fall Festival. Led by Lower School Dean of Academics Julie Barber, students learned about the importance of an election, who can register to be a voter, the difference between primary and final voting, and debating through this informative fall activity. Students were given the chance to make a difference at their level while learning how changes occur in our own government system.
“We wanted this election to allow students to form their own opinions,” said Lower School Dean of Academics Julie Barber. “This is an issue they care about and every booth on the ballot was a student-generated idea.”
After students spent the day casting votes for their favorite candidates, the Customization and the Remote-Controlled Car Booths were selected as the top two choices.
The students who helped create the top two booths went head-to-head on Monday, October 28 in a friendly thirteen-minute debate, where they had the chance to argue why their booth deserved a spot at the next Fall Festival. The students began with strong opening statements to introduce their booths, followed by rebuttals supported by solid points and statistics. Finally, they finished with powerful closing statements which highlighted the best characteristics of their booths. To view the Lower School student debate, click here.
Lower School students Nico M., '32 and Gabe R., '35 both shared why they selected the themes for their booths.
“The Customization Booth allows you to design something from your own imagination,” Lower School Student Nico M. ’32 said. “I also love drawing on T-shirts, so I thought others might like it too.”
“I was brainstorming, and the idea just came to me,” Lower School Student Gabe R. ’35 said. “A lot of people love cars, racing, and feeling the joy of winning.”
In preparation for the student elections, Nico put up posters around the Lower School and conducted research to strengthen her stance in the election. Gabe voiced his plans to use the mats from the Schuchart Gym as racing tracks and highlighted the importance of sharing the remote-controlled cars with students who have never raced before.
On Tuesday, November 5, Lower School students casted their final votes for the new Fall Festival Booth, which was announced in a video. Before revealing the results, Nico and Gabe exuded positivity and acknowledged the strengths of each other’s booth. Shortly after, a remote-controlled car zoomed over to Gabe with the results attached to its hood.
“Remote Controlled Cars win!” Gabe announced with excitement.
Nico and Gabe displayed wonderful sportsmanship and congratulated one another on the election turn out. After shaking hands, they shared a final message for all students in the Lower School who participated:
“Democracy needs everybody. Thanks for voting!”
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.