Friday, November 13, 2026
In Valley Stream School District 24, some of the most important civics lessons this fall didn’t come from a textbook. They came from elementary school students running for student council.
The candidates went through many of the same steps as adults running for office. They wrote speeches and stood in front of their classmates to ask for support. Then their peers cast ballots to decide who would represent them.
Student council gives students a voice in how their school runs. Members speak up for their classmates and raise money for people in need. Principals said the larger goal is teaching children that leadership means serving others.
For Brooklyn Avenue School sixth grader Rebecca Lugo, that lesson started at home.
Her mother serves in the armed forces and has spent a great deal of time overseas. While she was away, Rebecca’s father kept the family steady with love and guidance. Watching her parents taught Rebecca what it means to show up for other people, and she decided to bring that example to school.
“I wanted to run for student council to use the leadership skills that my mom and dad have taught me,” Rebecca said.
To her, being a good leader means setting a positive example and following through on promises. Above all, she wants classmates to know they can rely on her. She also hopes to show younger students what they can become when they reach sixth grade.
Principal Scott Comis said that is the point of the program. Student council helps students grow as leaders, he said, and teaches them that leadership is about setting an example rather than holding a title.
What impresses him most is the sincerity students bring to their campaigns and the encouragement they offer one another. Win or lose, he said, each candidate should be proud of having the courage to run.
The elections also show students how democracy works, Comis said. Along the way they learn about fairness and about accepting the decision of the majority.
At William L. Buck School, fifth grader Logan said he ran because he loves his school and wanted to help make it even better. He also saw it as a chance to try something new. To him, the most important part of the role is listening to classmates and making sure everyone feels included.
Principal Michael DeBlasio said that willingness deserves recognition. For a young student, getting up in front of classmates to give a speech takes real courage, he said, and every child who runs has already accomplished something, no matter the outcome.
He said the elections let students experience democracy firsthand instead of just reading about it. By casting ballots, they learn to consider other points of view and see that everyone’s participation counts.
“Democracy is about much more than the outcome of an election,” DeBlasio said.
At Robert W. Carbonaro School, 10-year-old Athena Bencosme set her sights on the top job: student council president. She said she loves to volunteer and believes the president can make a big impact on the school. Like Rebecca, she wants classmates to know they can count on her.
Athena said she plans to stay involved whether or not she wins, working with other council members to raise money for people in need.
Principal Rosario Iacono said he is struck by the thought students put into their campaigns and how clearly they explain the changes they hope to make. Through the process, he said, students grow more confident and learn that being a leader means being dependable.
“It is exciting to see students recognize that their ideas and voices matter,” Iacono said.
He credited Mrs. Haufler and Mrs. Fowler, who lead the Carbonaro student council, for the time and enthusiasm they put into giving students a real voice in the school.
Comis said the skills students build on the campaign trail stay with them long after the votes are counted. Participants learn that what they say and do can make a difference for the people around them, he said, and that lesson will serve them well beyond school.
