By SPECIAL TO THE DENVER POST
DENVER POST
October 16, 2015 at 9:38 am | UPDATED: April 21, 2016 at 12:09 am

At Louisville Elementary School, the polls just closed on an election that holds a deep significance for our family. Our 11-year-old daughter, Evelyn — we call her Evie — made her first foray into politics. When Evie announced recently that she wanted to run for student council, both my wife and I were surprised. Evie is tragically shy. So much so, she won’t order ice cream at our favorite ice cream parlor — even when the friendly clerks are being more than accommodating.

So my wife and I doubted that Evie really would go through with running for student council. This seemed a bridge too far for a girl who doesn’t often say good morning. Only when friends pass out of earshot will she often whisper to me: “Dad, that’s ______, she’s my best friend.” Endearing, and isolating. So we thought the student council idea would leave as soon as Evie learned she would have to give a speech. Yet when she heard that news, she got quiet, paused, and then said in a small, determined voice, “I’ll do it.” And her campaign was born.

Eleven years ago, when she was born with an extra chromosome, we didn’t know what the future might hold for Evie. Down syndrome was brand new to us then, and back East, certain classroom doors were closed to kids with her disability. We moved to our small town here in Colorado, where life may be as good as it’s ever going to get. Evie is included in a typical classroom where she is surrounded by peers who have known her since she was in kindergarten. In their eyes, she is Evie — a girl who won’t say good morning, but who will give you a hug when you are feeling low (even if you didn’t know you needed it).

So we watched in amazement as Evie practiced her campaign speech for hours. In the living room, in the dining room, in her room: “Good morning. I am Evie Larson. Student Council. I help my friends. I help my friends when they are sad. I help my friends when their feelings are hurt. Please vote for me. Thank you.” Remarkable. When it was time to stand in front of the class and deliver, she was nervous. Her teacher asked if she wanted help. She nodded, and pointed to one of her competitors, Bella. Together they stood before the class as Bella read Evie’s speech, and Evie turned the pages. Then all the students voted.

Perhaps it’s not a surprise that Evie didn’t win the election. What might surprise you is just how close it was: 15 votes for Bella, 15 votes for Cooper, and 14 votes for Evie. She lost by one vote. And it was, remarkably, hers. When voting, she was told she could put down two names on the paper to select for student council. She wrote Bella and Cooper. Her friends. When I asked her why she did that, she explained, “They are really nice.”

And so is Evie. Who helps her friends.
Now that’s a campaign we can believe in.

J. Chris Larson is an attorney. He lives in Louisville.
https://www.denverpost.com/2015/10/16/guest-commentary-a-campaign-we-can-believe-in/