1. Choose a leadership quote and in a short paragraph explain how it applies to your “style” of leadership and why.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style” – Maya Angelou

I chose this quote because it comments on two vital aspects of leadership. The first would be that a true leader does not just meet expectations but exceeds them. At Archer we learn to be “ambitious, joyful learners” and to always give 100%. As an Executive Board member, my goal is not to complete the minimum but to try new things, create more opportunities for students to express themselves and to find new ways for students to get involved.

The other aspect of leadership that this quote touches on is the importance of character. While I take the position very seriously, the best encouragement often comes from an enthusiasm. As a leader, in order for me to lead others, I have to be completely invested and give it my all. I try to lead by example while doing things with humor and positive reinforcement.

2. As a student council member, what important goals would you have for Student Council? For Archer?

Student council has been very successful this year in promoting school spirit. I want to continue in the direction but I also want to unite the Archer community. While grade rivalry is fun and does unite the individual grades, I want to help provide opportunities for them to unite together. The student VS. faculty games, for example, allow the whole student body to cheer on their team.

I also want student council to be accessible. Since the goal of student council is to provide a voice for the students, we should reach out for more feedback and reflection throughout the year in order to strive for improvement.

3. What are your plans for increasing school spirit and student participation at Archer?

Increasing school spirit is one of the most important yet the most difficult aspects of student council. Spirit is at the heart of all student council events; Archer would be most dull without it. It is difficult because it is not something you can force on the student body. It is also the one thing that you can’t always control alone; the grades need to work together.

With that said, student council this year has done a great job increasing school spirit and I want to continue on that trajectory. I also want to provide more opportunities for friendly competition and grade creativity. When we created more opportunities for spirit points, school spirit also increased so student council should continue to do that in the future.

4. What role(s) do you think Student Council should play at Archer? Is Student Council currently fulfilling that role? If not, what changes do you propose to make it happen?

Student Council should be the voice of the student body and communicate that perspective in all of the events throughout the year. We have moved way beyond just a party planning group but rather a collection of students that foster school spirit and unity. I think that Student Council is not only fulfilling that role but exceeding those expectations with new events and activities like Color Wars, for example. I want to bring back what succeeded this year and make them even better. I want to ask students for their feedback in order to differentiate what worked and what did not.

5. Why do you want to be on Student Council, really?

I want to be on Student Council because I am passionate about serving the Archer community. I want to be the voice of the student body and utilize all of the strengths of the council. I am committed to representing Archer and I believe that my ideas can help improve school spirit and unity among the Archer community. I hope that the Upper School responds to my positive energy and passion toward representing the Archer student body.