2020-2021 Exec Board candidates filled out applications for the position. All candidates were given the opportunity to share those responses with the Oracle for the student body to read.

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

I find this quote especially inspiring because Dr. King is an example of bravery and proactivity in a time where there was little agreement. I believe his quote suggests that simply looking for an answer that already exists is powerful, yes, but creating a new solution and being able to generate consensus through that is far more important. Using Dr. King’s idea of creating rather than only finding goals/solutions, I hope to help StuCo reach its full potential. Being on student council, in my opinion at least, is a job where ‘going with the flow’ doesn’t always work, and I’d like to use creative solutions to problems rather than look for answers that already exist.

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

Relating to my last response, an important goal for me in StuCo would be to not get too comfortable with the status quo. I would like to make changes where we find changes are needed, and search for new ideas rather than stick with the old ones just because they are easier. More specifically, I would like to bridge the gap between the students and the faculty/administration, by having at least one student council member at any typically-adult meeting where topics are being discussed that directly affect the student body, in order to assure we have a seat at the table beyond just party planning. For example, a student representative should be present at admin meetings regarding schedule changes. Of course, I would also like to raise school spirit and polish up our events a little bit, including having a schoolwide fundraiser to earn money for future events and perks.

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

A goal of mine is to increase the attention given to clubs and student groups, as well as student artists. In collaboration with the HerArts club, I would like to host an art week, a festival where the entire school can celebrate our talented artists and give them the attention they deserve.  As well, in US meetings I would like to have more club spotlights or club-led meetings, and possibly even have some teacher “ted talks” to draw attention to our fascinating staff. There are on ton of things jumbling around in my head for stuco, but these are a few, and I can’t wait to hear what anyone would have in mind too!

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

I think the most important role of the student council is to make sure student voices are heard. Although we do a great job of raising spirits and keeping students engaged overall, I very often see students upset with decisions made by adults above them that the students themselves had little to no say in. To fix this, I would like a student council representative present at any meetings where big decisions are made. Additionally, I think StuCo should host more conversations with teachers/advisors, ideally where the representatives can speak for their grade about how they are doing and what they feel their superiors should know, like if the school is especially stressed at a certain time, and teachers should know to lighten the load.

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

Honestly I just seriously LOVE STUCO. I’ve worn my I <3 StuCo hoodie almost every day of quarantine. Over the last three years, I have found that student council gives me the perfect opportunity to both relate and connect to my peers and try to help them succeed and/or enjoy their school days in any way possible. Student council has been the love of my life since I first joined in 9th grade, and I have loved every minute of my time on it, whether it be painting a million posters for spirit week or trying to coordinate a senior tribute video over quarantine.