Jonathan Diamond Talks Elections with Students

Former History Teacher and Director of Counseling Jonathan Diamond P ’20 recently returned to Canterbury for a series of lectures to students on the history of presidential elections in our country. In the spirit of preparing our Saints for the upcoming November election, Jonathan presented at School Meetings on three topics—The Electoral College, Lesson in Politics: Kennedy vs. Nixon, and The October Surprise. The latter explored revelations intentionally disclosed in the month prior to an election to influence the result.  

The idea to bring Jonathan to campus came from the Canterbury Election Task Force, which was formed to help our school community navigate any potential anxiety or conflict related to the 2024 election. Interim Head of School Sue Roberts P ’24, ’27 appointed Dean of Faculty Wright Danenbarger to lead the task force, and he saw a great opportunity with his former colleague Jonathan. “Sue and I agreed that the message to students should not be about the potential for conflict but rather an overview of how America elects its presidents,” Wright said. “I thought Jonathan’s talks went exceptionally well. Mixing examples throughout American history with a touch of humor, he showed students that what we are going through today is not unique—elections have been happening like this for hundreds of years.”

We are grateful to Jonathan and the Election Task Force for ensuring that our community is prepared for the 2024 election. Jonathan’s return to campus offered valuable insights into the history of presidential elections, showing students how past events shape today’s political landscape. His talks, paired with the Task Force’s efforts, reflect our commitment to helping students navigate this election with a clear understanding of the democratic process.