Unlike some candidates (apparently) Althea arrived with her usual feminine grace, coupled with that confidence that came from being a leader in the community in her own right. This, the ministry, was certainly her element. She did spend a lot of her time here after all. She had avoided any food or drinks provided by anyone other than herself this time, opting to drink her own water instead, having discovered that she'd in fact been drugged during the last debate. And won it anyway mind you. That was what happened when you actually really cared about running for the Board. Even if the circus around it was getting to be a bit of a joke. She had taken her seat on stage in the front row, though she also had a reserved seat in the front row of the audience as a Department Head. Merlin but they were rushing things along, Amoroso got a look and then she turned her attention to Cassandra. Sigh. Was it to be a rehash of the Hogsmeade questions then? Althea had no compunctions about taking her turn quickly so after listening to the first few candidates (nodding particularly to Vinteren's words) she stood and approached the front of the stage. Cassandra was right that it was an easy question, and yet it was hardly the most interesting of questions.

"I am Professor Althea Schirmer. Good Afternoon." She paused, leaving the introduction at that since she was known here, "When it comes to qualifications, there are two aspects to consider; the literal interpretation of qualifications earned and held, and the conceptual idea of why I am, as an individual, as a person, someone that you should give your vote to, someone you can trust in to represent your best interests, and those of your children." She paused and then smiled at the audience, her eyes picking out those of whom she knew across various departments.

"To keep it simple and literal, I hold a double doctoral degree in Magical Metallurgy and Advanced Experimental Charms, and I spent ten years of my life as an educator. I also am the executive Benefactor of a foundation aimed at providing scholarships and educational opportunities to those students who wish to pursue Higher Wizarding Education. However, as I have said before, it is not the specifics of my qualifications which make me qualified to be on the Board of Governors, it is rather the lessons which pursuing these qualifications has taught me, and my genuine desire to contribute to the school via a different avenue from what I already have done as a former Charms professor." And she didn't want that particular job back. She got paid more at the Ministry as it were.

"I don't think anyone would say they don't want this. We all of us want to be on the Board of Governors, and I can't speak for the motivations of my fellow candidates, but I have been considering running for the Board for some time. My running for the Board is not a whim: the desire to contribute to our school's community, to the magical community as a whole, has always been a driving force for me. You might say that is why I went after my current position of Department Head of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes." She shot a little smile toward the Minister. "But my heart and soul will always align with education." Always. But it was more a sense of wanting to provide opportunities for children to continue learning, than it was to specifically provide that education herself.

"As for why I stand out from the crowd," She paused, reflecting for a brief moment on the fact that she was the top voted candidate in the last debate, and also to allow for the audience to come up with their own reasons, "I'd like to think that my achievements, and my subsequent involvement in the community, speaks for itself-- certainly I am not going to stand here today and tell you why I am better than any of the other candidates on stage with me; a Board is a collective, not an individual, and there is more than one position to be filled," --something some candidates seemed to lose sight of-- "and there are several candidates whom I would consider casting my vote for personally, were I not running myself." She glanced toward Ivy here, and gave polite nods to Carter, Sherman, and Nolan.

"As such I believe it just as important to consider who is able to work with others, as part of a team and yet still maintaining an individual voice and providing a valuable perspective," --she glanced at Vinteren as she said this, perhaps in acknowledgement? He got a nod anyway before she turned her attention back to the crowd-- "which can add to the effectiveness of the Board as a whole." And she'd made no secret of her certain perspective.

"When you elect me as a member of the Board of Governors, I will bring my perspective which is one of ongoing education. I do not believe education stops once students turns seventeen and manage to leave Hogwarts with hard-won NEWTs under their belts, rather I think we need to, as a community, be more far-sighted about the potential of our children and the opportunities with which we provide them."

She smiled again, warmly, confidently, "After all, there is life after Hogwarts, a world to experience, and dreams to achieve. I will be that voice on the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and that is what makes me qualified and sets me apart from the crowd. Thank you."