A politically-engaged fifth grader from Lafayette decided to use a presidential candidate's ambitious promise to aid his chase for a seat on the student body government bench.
True to the words of Donald Trump, the youngster from the East Bay city declared that, if elected, he will erect a wall to divide the schoolyard playground: one section for the fourth and fifth graders and the other for the third graders. As for who is going to pay for such an investment, that's up to the third graders.
"I wanted to put humor into my speech," student Shane Harris said.
Not only did the Burton Valley Elementary student's satirical speech launch the crowd into a fit laughter, it also proved to be successful. Shane is now the school's secretary after beating out 61 other students.
Shane's father said the idea came from the boy's uncle, Todd Harris, who was a Republican political consultant for Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential campaign.
"It had a political background, but it was all just for fun," Bill Harris said.
School officials were aware of the student's antics and did preapprove the speech.
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And as for the debate over the dangers of so-called Trump rhetoric? Shane said it is not a debate for him.
"I am just a kid," he said. "I don't know about Donald Trump."
Shane also said he actually has no plans to build that wall to leave third graders out because his brother is in third grade.
