Elections for class representative get underway this week. The following candidates are running:

Patrick Zwiller, Margaux Hannewyck, Anna Hill,  Anna Matthys, Gabi Litzinger, Bella Giles,  Hetvi Patel, Isabella Ann Dugard, Jack Tobolski, Lainey Eder, Lee Erdman, Lizzy Kloska, Maggie Couture, Marley Annis, Murphy Wiginton, and Terezur Leonard.

NOTE: The following students did not wish to publicly share their responses with the square:  Anna Hill, Anna Matthys, Bella Giles, Jack Tobolski, Lizzy Kloska, Murphy Wiginton and Terezur Leonard.

Patrick Zwiller

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I would like to be an officer as I feel I know many people from different groups of activities, which means I can hear what they say and make their voice heard. I believe I bring more than the required set of skills needed to be a thriving representative. I am honest, hardworking, and up to any task asked upon me. However, I can also listen to team members and understand their point of view. I am impartial and only think about the ideas brought to the table and whats best for the school rather than the people who brought the ideas to the table. I am not afraid to say what I think or to speak up either, or help others speak up. I feel the school needs these traits on the student council, and I am willing to be president because I want to make sure everyone is heard because without a voice you have no control.

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I think they should be a model for everyone to look up to, but not afraid to share their ideas with them. They should be able to listen and be approachable as all students should be able to go to them to make their voices heard. They should be able to admit when they are wrong, and able to step down when someone more experienced or better suited for the job is there. They shouldn’t be afraid to speak up, and help others speak up with them. They should be honest, as well as caring and understanding. They also need to be able to make decisions in the best interest of the school, not for them.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

I believe that the biggest problems of the student body is not being able to have your voice heard or be thought of. I feel that we have our opinions and needs at this school, but we aren’t always heard. The school puts much stress on students because of Indian Days or because of Schedules. I know that the school can’t always change whats going on at the school which is why we need to compromise. For example at late starts this wasn’t considering how people who lived far away or with parents who couldn’t get their kids to school at 9:45. We sent an email, and then the school allowed students to let us in early and stay in the lunch room. Our problems were voiced and both parties were happy with this outcome, and this is how I plan to help the student council.

Margaux Hannewyk

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I feel that I can provide a very good service to my fellow classmates. I want to get involved with my school, and be a useful asset. I want to get to know my classmates, as I was virtual for most of this year. I am a very extendable person, and I can do almost anything that’s asked of me. I’m friendly, approachable, go-with-the-flow, and hold no judgement for anyone who I cross paths with. This is why I’d want to be an officer, so that I could give others an opportunity to have their voice be heard by someone who genuinely cares about them.

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

The role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should be someone who listens, and has a general understanding of the students they represent. They should be able to handle all kinds of people, unwavering. They should have a positive attitude, but be able to understand when tough things need to be done/said. They should be supportive, and unbiased. I see myself contributing to this leadership team by being down-to-earth. My position wouldn’t be the top, which may make it easier for people to talk to me. Generally, I want all students to see me as a friend that they can talk to without any worries, and know that I’ll do everything I can to help them.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

I feel that one big challenge facing the students at our school today is overbearing pressure and anxiety over that pressure. Whether that be from parents, schoolwork, the future, or other peers. I’d help these students face these challenges by listening to them, and going who I need to go to to get the right help, or get the right actions done. Another big challenge is social acceptance. I’d help with this challenge by promoting the idea of accepting all students. Differences should not make it harder for a student to feel welcomed in their environment.

Gabi Litzinger

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I want to be a representative for my sophomore class because I feel like I could do a good job assisting the officers and being a voice for students who feel theirs is not heard. I am a helpful, hardworking student that and I feel that I can use my abilities to help out the officers. I am an approachable person that will be able to help lead the officers in the right direction. The spot of representative will help me to branch out and in turn, I will be able to help my fellow students feel heard. I want to make a difference in the school and I feel being a representative for my class will allow me to do that. 

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I think that a representative at Saint Joe should be a hardworking, friendly student who is approachable and that can empathize with their fellow students’ needs. They should be able to speak their mind and help out when they can in and around the school community. I feel like I fit all of these descriptions and will be a great asset to the council. I can see myself being a great addition to the student council and I will be a helpful person to have in their corner. I feel like I am an easily approachable person and will be able to apply that in this position.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

I think that the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today is bullying and not being able to have their voices heard. As someone who has been bullied in the past, I know how hard it is to not say anything about it because you don’t want to burden others with your problems. If I was given the chance to be a representative, I think that I would be able to help students being bullied because I would know what they are going through. I also think that students feel like their voices aren’t heard and I will be a friendly face that is willing to voice their opinions if they can’t do it themselves. I will be a reliable source that can help other use their voices if they want something changed. 

Hetvi Patel

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I want to be a representative of my class because I would like to have an active role in the St. Joe community. I am interested in making it a better place for everyone and making sure every student feels represented. Being a representative would be a valuable experience where I can contribute to the decisions of the school. I would also like to make a difference within the school and the lives of students. I feel that I can greatly help the community with my different perspectives. 

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team? 

I see myself contributing to this leadership team by bringing the perspectives of my peers as their representative. I believe that challenging myself to understand my classmates’ needs for the school would be very valuable. I am committed to working hard to contribute to the decisions of the school. I will participate in and carry out school activities and service projects. I would also contribute to school spirit and the wellbeing of St. Joe’s community.  

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

One of the biggest challenges is communication during the pandemic. Students are less connected and are not as social, making the St. Joe community difficult to maintain. Because they feel less integrated, they also feel that they do not have as much of a voice. I would like to make them feel represented through my work in the student council. I would do this by sharing their perspectives and voicing their concerns.

Isabella Ann Dugard

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I want to be a representative so I can be a voice for all of the students that are not listened too or are too scared to speak up. I want to be able to help the president and make decisions to better our school. 

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I think that those roles should have strong leadership skills and be able to make decisions. However, I also believe they should be able to have a welcoming and warm outlook towards the needs of others. They should be able to a voice for those who are shy, or too scared to say their opinion. I feel that I would contribute creative ideas and out of the box. I am a strong leader and am compassionate towards others. 

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges? 

I feel as if some of the biggest issues are the lack of inclusion, because there is enough pressure being in high school. No one should have to change themselves. Another would be the dress code, to tweak some codes. Students can sometimes feel restricted by the dress code, and want to be able to express themselves. To help, I want to introduce ideas of a welcoming committee. As for dress code, I would want to keep them reasonable but also a new way so that students can have more freedom with the dress code.

Lainey Eder

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I want to grow my leadership skills and be more involved in our school. I also think this is a great way to meet new people with the same values that I have.  I would love to be given the opportunity to represent our class. 

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I am fully committed and will do anything to the best of my ability. I will contribute by helping out as much as I can and supporting the SJ student body. I am also going to be a voice for my sophomore class to make sure my classmates are being heard. 

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges? 

The biggest challenge facing students at our school is probably the pressure of maintaining good grades in addition to their extracurriculars which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. I can help students face challenges like these by being an outlet for them to open up to especially since I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. 

Lee Erdman

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I want to be a representative of my class because I have a genuine interest and desire to help the Saint Joseph community. I believe that as a representative of the Sophomore Class, I could help to create a sense of comfort and unity among the students of Saint Joe. My goal is to make students look forward and enjoy coming to school!

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I believe that a representative at Saint Joe should be a model student. You’re probably wondering, what’s a model student? A model student is a strong leader who faces the challenges of each day with a positive and innovative mindset. A model student is kind and inclusive to all, and ensures that everyone’s voice is being heard. A model student is determined and driven to make change for the better. I believe that I can be that model student. I see myself contributing to this leadership team by helping to organize more service hour opportunities so students can complete their required hours, whilst having fun and bonding with their classmates.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

I think the biggest challenge students are facing at our school today is a sense of disconnectedness, caused by the Covid-19 protocols, such as mask wearing and social distancing. Although these precautions are essential, they have made it difficult for students to make meaningful connections with their peers. In my opinion, social connections are a key part of high school, as they are character building and defining. Therefore, as a representative, it would be my first priority to ensure they are not lost. I believe a solution to this issue is beginning each class with a team building or “ice-breaker” activity. From experience, I have seen techniques like this work. In one of my classes, we always do an “ice-breaker” activity before having a major discussion and I have discovered that it causes students to participate and enjoy class more. Overall, activities like these help to create a safe and family-like environment, which is optimal for learning and retaining information. I think team-building exercises are especially important this year due to the isolation caused by Covid, but I believe that that should be implemented and utilized every year to improve the school community and morale.

Maggie Couture

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class?

I would like to be a representative for my class because I would like to know about what is going on in the school. I was also a representative this year, but missed out on a lot of stuff that I would like to experience. I want to have a say I what is going on in the school and be able to help the students have a voice in school activities. I would like to make and impact, one that is much bigger than I was able to this year due to Covid restrictions. I want to be a representative so that I have time to focus on the other things I do and my school work, as well as helping students have their voices heard and having a say in school wide matters.

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team?

I think the role of a representative is to listen and observe those around them, so that they know what the students want. I also think that a representative should be kind and welcoming to everyone. They should be someone that their classmates can depend on, and even though they play a smaller role in student government they are still contributing valuable ideas. I see myself contributing by talking to people in clubs and helping those around me. Being seen as a friendly person and listening to peoples issues and then bringing them to the other members of student government is another thing I will be contributing. I like to listen to others and find ways to help, so this is the way I will be able to contribute.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges?

I think that the biggest challenges are continually dealing with the pandemic and school at the same time. Teachers have been out of the building due to Covid and it isn’t as easy to pay attention if your teacher is on zoom. It is also sometimes hard when there is a sub teacher for a class because they can be confusing if the students don’t know them. I will help students face these challenges by sharing my knowledge of a subject if a classmate doesn’t understand, and by participating and helping to push forward group projects. I will try my best to make myself available if a classmate needs help with something and to always be encouraging.

Marley Annis

Why do you want to be an officer or representative of your class? *

I want to be part of the 2021-2022 SJHS Student Government because I love organizing and helping with projects. Organizing things such as dances or fundraisers, makes not only me happy but also the others around me participating happy as well. Organization in my opinion is one of the main keys to success, and being successful in life is important. I struggle with my confidence and some of my leadership skills so being part of this council will help strenghten these skills for future college or job applications. I have a lot of great teamwork and problem solving skills from past and present sports and schooling, plus, I am very open-minded and I love trying things I have never done before. So being part of Student Government will benefit myself and the others around me very greatly.

What do you think the role of an officer or representative at Saint Joe should look like? How do you see yourself contributing to this leadership team? *

Being a representative of my sophmore class for 2021-2022 would give me the opportunity to provide leadership and directory to my fellow classmates. If I were in Student Government as a representative I would be able to meet more people and form many relationships. This club will  help with my social skills in real life situations, confidence in myself and others and leadership qualities I would need for future occupations. The role of a representative at Saint Joe in my opnion is very kind, caring, optimistic, confident and supportive of others. I believe I fit all these categories and will keep trying to be the best person I can be to myself and to others.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the students at our school today? How will you help the student face these challenges? *

Today, I feel that many students are struggling with keeping their confidence and motivation up. With the pandemic occurring, students are getting lazier about keeping up with their school work, relationships and even health. Now I can’t stop the Corona Virus from happening but I can encourage others that what they do now, affects everything that will happen in the future. I can motivate others to be the best and most successful version of themselves that they can be. As teens we get very low self-esteem very fast and if they have a positive mindset they will most likely have positive outcomes.