In a hotly contested race, Monika Smith won out as president of CedarBridge Academy student government over 12 other candidates.

Her plank of change and more fun was not unique, but her plans to encourage better use of the school facilities and to address international hardships of children may have been the reason the scales tipped in her favour.

There was election buzz in the hallways at CedarBridge on Tuesday afternoon as students went to the polls during their lunch break to vote in officers for the student government.

Five seats were in contention while a sixth saw only one interested candidate.

Perhaps not surprisingly the candidates often mirrored our present day politicians.

One cleverly positioned herself so that she was photographed with the press.

Another demanded that her solo shot should be put into the newspaper, and yet another said it was more important for him to greet and talk with the voters than to give The Royal Gazette an interview.

Before winning, Monika while being interviewed did not hesitate to call out to voters with reminders of why they should elect her to office.

"I am your cousin. Remember to make sure and vote for me. You know I am your cousin,'' she sang out to one boy.

While all the candidates were not available to be interviewed, most of the ones interviewed agreed that CedarBridge needed to be changed.

"I feel I could change the school and put things in a better perspective,'' said presidential candidate Tiffany Eatherley.

Tiffany said she felt that her ability to argue was a great asset.

"I could make the school a better place.'' she confidently said. "I know how to argue and get my point across and I try really hard to accomplish what people ask.'' "I think this school needs a change and students like me to speak out for the students body,'' said 15-year-old Travis Lightbourn, another contender for president.

And according to the new 17-year-old new president, "the school needs changes -- more fun activities and more grub days''.

"We need to start having plays,'' she continued, "we have a wonderful auditorium and we need to use it.

"I also feel it's time for us as a whole school to help the homeless and make a big contribution to Dr. MacGuffie who came from overseas and explained to us the forgotten children in Africa who are dying of poverty and hunger.'' "I feel I am the voice of the students,'' added 15-year-old Jamari Douglas.

"I can argue any situation and stand up for what is right. I make promises but no guarantees.'' "I would like to see more grub days and better food in the cafeteria.'' he continued. "In fact the food in the cafeteria is one of the main complaints we have here at the school.'' Pointing out that the post would provide "a good opportunity to understand responsibility and obligations'', 14-year-old Antonia Mills said she would "help create more fun activities''.

"We can learn while having fun,'' she added. "I would also like to improve the situation with security guards and work with teachers and the community on some of the problems of violence and trash.'' Antonia quickly sought to clarify her use of the word "violence''.

"We have a lot of arguing and unnecessary bickering that can be avoided,'' she said.

Fifteen-year-old David Bean was most concerned with ensuring he made the views and opinions of the student body known to the relevant authorities.

"My aim is to make the school a better place and to make our suggestions heard,'' he said. "After all we are here for half the day and have ideas.'' "I would also like to see more fun introduced as far as grub days, but first I really need to hear suggestions from the students,'' he pointed out. "It is important to meet their needs.'' Also voted into office were Ryan Bean as vice president, Samantha Smith as secretary, Fredrika Smith as treasurer, Jahkema Virgil as public relations officer, and Lekisha Woods as historian.