[Jade Z]

On our team, we have a student board that mirrors the positions on our adult board. Candidates for each of the positions are elected by anonymous popular vote by the veterans of the team before build season begins. Each candidate is allowed to give a short speech, but for the most part students vote based on what they know of the candidates from being on the team with them for at least one year.

It may seem like a popularity contest if the team candidate is selected by the students, but the important thing to remember is that a student with natural leadership ability will most likely be recognized as such by the other members of their team. Students will elect the leader they will choose to follow. If mentors make a selection the rest of the team does not agree with, the team is unlikely to follow that person.

I suppose it also depends on the responsibilities of the team captain on your specific team. When our candidates give their speeches, they address how they will and have been fitting the roles they would have to for their position.

Additionally, when one or two people make a decision, favoritism and bias can intentionally or unintentionally come into play. Not only that, but students are likely to act very differently around mentors than around their peers, and a student who at first appears perfect may be rude or disrespectful to their teammates. It is best if those who will have to follow the captain are allowed to choose who they are willing to follow.