“Ican’tbelievewhatI’mhearing”Ithoughttomyself.JeffwasthelastcandidateforpresidentofStudentCouncil.MybestfriendTonycametomeandsaid.“I’msorry,Mike.Ireallythoughtyoushouldbechosen.”Laterthatday,IhappenedtopassJeffinthediningroom.Iofferedhimapolite“Congratulations”andwalkedtomyusualtable.Tomysurprise,Jeffputhisplatebesidemine.“I’m,er—I’mjustwonderingifyouwould…considercomingtoworkonmyteam,”hesaidnervously.“Youarereallysmart,andyouwouldbeagreatmanager.”“Idon’tthinkso,”Ireplied,feelingunsure.“Well,ifyouchangeyourmind,wearemeetingtomorrow,”hesaidbeforemovingtoanothertable.Allthatnight,IthoughtabouttheofferfromJeff.Maybebeingapartoftheelectionprocesswouldgivemeachancetomakeimportantchangesatourschool.Idecidedtojointhem.Myfirstgoalwastoacatchyadvertisement.Withinafewdays,wedesignedaposterwithJeff’spicturesshowinghiminanumberofactivities.NoonecouldwalkthroughanyhallwaywithoutpassingJeff’ssmilingface.Mynextstepwastofindoutwhichnewactivitiesstudentswouldliketohaveatourschool.Manyofthemwantedachessclubandavolleyballteam.WiththeinformationIhadcollected,Jeffmetwiththeheadmaster.Theheadmasteragreedtoaddtheseactivitiestoourschoolprogram.Aneighthgradersaid,“It’llbelikeattendinganewschoolwithJeffaspresident.”Hearingthesewordsmademyheartfilledwithpride.IhadwantedtobecomepresidentofStudentCounciltomakeadifference.IachievedthatandmorebyworkingasamemberofJeff’steam.HebecamethemostpopularcandidateandIwaslargepartofhissuccess.Thefactthatithasmadeadifferenceinotherpeople’slivesistherealprize.Whatagreatfeeling!