People in Auburn will make the final decision next week

AUBURN – When city voters cast their vote next week for a name for the new school in Auburn, they’ll have four choices: Brann’s Hill Elementary, Ledgewood Elementary, Olympia Snowe Elementary and Park Avenue Elementary.

The four name nominations emerged Wednesday after K-6 students staged a rally for their chosen names, then voted to whittle seven name candidates down to three. The school gathering had all the makings of a real political rally.

The participants were smaller, some in kindergarten and first grade. And instead of glossy, slick signs they waved signs they made with markers: “Vote for Brann’s Hill” and “Vote for Olympia Snowe!”

There was mood music. Neil Diamond’s “America” filled the gym, as did Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”

There was emotion.

“Welcome to the rally for naming the school!” boomed Principal Vickie Gaylord from the stage decorated with red, white and blue balloons. The delegates below cheered wildly. Drums sounded.

“You are a very, very important part of the history of our new school,” Gaylord said. “After our rally today, you will be voting on your top choice names. The top three names will go on the final voting ballot for next week.”

On Tuesday, a school name election will be held at the school. “The city will be bringing in official voting booths,” Gaylord said. “You will have the opportunity to vote for our final name.”

During Wednesday’s rally, 18 fifth- and sixth-graders got up on the stage and gave speeches for their candidates: Brann’s Hill, Park Avenue, Goff Hill, Ledgewood, Oak Park, Park Hill, Oak Park or Olympia Snowe.

Snowe got the loudest, and longest, applause and cheers.

“I think Olympia Snowe Elementary should be the name of our school,” said Sabine Bartlett. “She’s very important to the state of Maine. She was voted as one of the top 10 best U.S. senators by Time magazine.”

Barlett knew about Snowe. “She went to and graduated from our Auburn high school, Edward Little High School. … So when you walk into the polls on Nov. 14, think about Olympia Snowe and all that she has done for our state.”

Cameron Gelder spoke for Park Avenue Elementary. The area of where the school is located is important and should be reflected in the name, he said. And at first the new name “will be famous. … So vote for Park Avenue.”

Ben Doherty lobbied for Goff Hill Elementary, saying that name would reflect the city’s history. “In 1825 James Goff was Auburn’s first postmaster.” The new school is like the former postmaster, Doherty said. The faculty “delivers important information to us the students, every day.” Students should give their “stamp of approval, and vote for Goff Hill.”

“Fellow students, I would like to name the school Oak Park because there are Oak trees next to the school,” said Jacob Martel. “Also the name of the street is Park Avenue.”

“My name is Avery Chisholm and I represent Brann’s Hill Elementary School.” Speaking as if she were the undeveloped Brann’s Hill, Chisholm spoke of how children go sledding down its slopes in the winter, and “people can enjoy my peace and quiet and open space during any season.”

Others who gave speeches were Zachary Tannenbaum, Brooks Layman, Nafisa Hussein, Keegan Kane, Lenna Soifer, Patrick Buzza, Paige Weber, Brittany Myrick, Annie Gill, Mercedes Pequeno, Rakiya Mohamed, Emma Bragdon and Chris Rideout.

Since September, teachers have used the school name election to teach Auburn history and how the political process works.

City voting for the school’s name will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Eligible voters are Auburn residents and students. Absentee ballots may be picked up Thursday or Monday, from 9 to 2 p.m., at the school.