– Of course, we need to have an election watch, says an enthusiastic English teacher, Toril Romfo at Tingvoll High School.
Together with other engaged English teachers, she has initiated the election watch for the whole school, and the students have shown great enthusiasm.
– There is actually quite a lot of interest, she says, somewhat surprised.
Live on Dagsrevyen
All students at the school and the tenth graders from the two junior high schools in Tingvoll participated from the start, with pizza and NRK broadcasting live from the election watch both in the TV program for NRK Møre og Romsdal and Dagsrevyen.
There, the students Marte Vågen Husby and Eiril Tveekrem expressed that the interest in politics is high at the school.
– This election is going to have significant implications for everyone around the world in the coming years, so it’s important that we learn about it, they say, praising the teachers who organized the election watch for them.
– We have engaged teachers who want to make learning fun, they brag.
English teacher Romfo tells that in the English subject, they have spent a lot of time discussing the American election this fall, and in preparation for the election watch, all students from several subjects have participated. Many have learned a lot in that way, Romfo explains.
– There has been learning on all levels.
Several dozen students are going to stay overnight at the school.
– We brought sleeping bags and are going to play hide and seek, Romfo shares.
To stay awake, they will also have tightrope walking, yoga, and a quiz throughout the night.
Had the news on when they arrived
As the evening progresses, it kicks off with Eminem blaring from the speakers and the coloring of states as the votes are counted.
– And we are actually going to follow the election, Romfo points out.
– And the students are interested. When we started, there were students who already had news broadcasts from several countries on their phones.
Students Ane Eikrem Jensen and Ronja Mattes agree that the most important thing is to keep up with the election.
– But just being here together with everyone else and participating in all the activities is a big part of it, says Ane.
– There is a great atmosphere, nods Ronja.
The county’s cut list affects the school
Principal Øyvind Bråthen walks around the cafeteria, nodding with satisfaction. But he is on his way home. The county municipality director has suggested closing the school from next school year.
Students Eiril and Marte believe that the issue of potentially closing the school has made them even more interested in politics.
– It’s an issue that really engages us. We will do everything we can to preserve our school, they say.
Read also
Proposal to close Tingvoll high school and make significant cuts to ferry routes
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School structure up for consideration in the county council – neither the Labour Party nor the Conservative Party will protect Tingvoll high school.
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Proposals to suspend B-ferries on weekends and cut early and late departures: – A small catastrophe
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Toril Romfo, English Teacher at Tingvoll High School
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Toril! It’s great to have you here today. Your enthusiasm for education and civic engagement is truly inspiring. Can you tell us what motivated you and your fellow teachers to organize an election watch at Tingvoll High School?
Toril Romfo: Thank you for having me! As teachers, we always strive to make learning relevant and engaging. With the upcoming elections having such significant implications worldwide, we felt it was crucial to involve our students in the democratic process. We wanted them to understand the importance of being informed citizens.
Time.news Editor: It’s wonderful to hear that! I understand that students from not just your school but also from local junior high schools participated in the event. What was their response like?
Toril Romfo: The enthusiasm was palpable! We had students from Tingvoll High School and two junior high schools come together, and they were genuinely eager to participate. I was pleasantly surprised to see how engaged they were in discussions about politics and current events. It’s not often that you see such passion in young people.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned that the students were actively involved in learning about the American elections. How did you incorporate that into your curriculum leading up to the event?
Toril Romfo: We had discussions in our English classes focusing on American politics and its global impacts, which set a solid foundation for the election watch. It wasn’t just confined to English; students from various subjects collaborated to create a holistic approach to this learning experience. It was refreshing to see their excitement about the topics!
Time.news Editor: That’s an innovative approach! I heard that many students stayed overnight at the school for the election watch. What activities did you plan to keep them engaged throughout the night?
Toril Romfo: We certainly made it fun! We brought in activities like tightrope walking and yoga, along with quizzes to keep the energy up. Of course, there was plenty of time for relaxation and socializing—playtime was essential! Having sleeping bags and just being together created a fantastic atmosphere.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a great blend of education and entertainment! As the election night unfolded with votes being counted, how did the students stay informed about what was happening?
Toril Romfo: Remarkably, many students arrived with news updates on their phones, keeping themselves updated with real-time information. We played Eminem to set a lively mood, and there was a communal excitement as we colored in states on our big maps. Watching the results come in together created a unique sense of community—I think they realize the power of collective experience.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the community, it seems that current events are impacting your school directly, especially with discussions of potential closure. How do you think that influences the students’ viewpoint on activism and engagement?
Toril Romfo: It definitely encourages a sense of urgency. Students like Eiril and Marte expressed their concerns about the school being closed—it makes them more aware of the importance of advocacy. This election watch not only educated them about politics but also about their voices and their roles in shaping their futures, especially during these uncertain times.
Time.news Editor: It’s incredible to see how a single event like this can ripple out into larger discussions about community and future. As an educator, what do you hope to achieve through initiatives like this?
Toril Romfo: Ultimately, I want our students to emerge from this experience as informed, passionate, and active citizens. They should feel empowered to engage with the world around them and understand that their opinions matter. This isn’t just about learning facts; it’s about fostering critical thinking and a commitment to civic duty.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us, Toril. Your commitment to education and to inspiring your students is commendable! We look forward to hearing more about your continued efforts in the future.
Toril Romfo: Thank you! It was my pleasure to share our experiences. I hope we can continue to inspire more students to take an interest in politics and make their voices heard.