Vote 2024: Poudre HS Election Party, A Show of Unity for our Community

Held on election night, November 5, the government teaching team at Poudre High, Mr. Bain and Mr. Brubaker, invited many to join in on an exploration and observation of the election as an event that affects our entire community regardless of demographic. The event focused on providing balanced information, activities, local politicians, and (most importantly to some) awesome food.

First set up during the 2016 election by Mr. Bain and Mr. Brubaker. In their words, it was created to aid the students to "Feel excited and energized about the upcoming election" believing it is "easy to get caught up in all of the political rhetoric and division." They wanted to "provide a non-partisan space for students to have fun and celebrate our democratic process." The goal and vision have come to fruition becoming bigger than first thought. Hopefully, this quadrennial party will remain a safe and friendly place for future elections.

Many students helped set up the party so that American red, white, and blue streamers encompassed the room with American flag table covers. Among other very American decorations included blow-up American eagle and balloons spelling out USA. The meticulous decorations provided a very patriotic feeling coupled with Mr. Bains' American-themed outfit and amazing mustache. Each table had its own customized election bingo.

While starting slow attendance rapidly picked up to upwards of 150 people attending. Although deciding the election was why everyone attended the free donuts, pizza, and Cane's Chicken certainly helped. Throughout the evening the Cane's ran out and students began trickling out at around 6:30. Jennifer James "Jeni" Arndt the mayor of Fort Collins made an appearance. Along with the mayor, a news crew came to interview student attendees.

As a community we showed the spirit of Ubuntu, I am who I am because of who we are. Attending the party was a wide variety of people with different political, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Although the political discussions often surrounding elections can cause high tensions as a community, the party remained civil, a place where we could come together to talk, eat, and just enjoy regardless of our beliefs.