Class presidents were announced Sept. 5 during academic period after students voted Sept. 4. 

“Students should only run for class president if they are willing to try and meet the responsibilities of a leadership role,” student council sponsor Jenn Moore said. “However, they don’t need to be the smartest or most popular person in their class to be a strong leader. Simply being curious about how decisions are made, wanting to take ownership of your own school experience, and wanting to learn how to take yourself seriously, those are all good indicators that a student should run.” 

Senior class president Ishylia Cummings said it is almost surreal to be in a position to use student’s voices to help make a difference. 

“My best friend was actually the root of my decision when running for senior class president and many of the people I knew from different groups in the senior class had encouraged me,” Cummings said.  

There are different duties for all class presidents depending on their grade level. Senior class president helps with making decisions for homecoming and Red Ribbon Week. It is also traditionally their job to keep in touch with classmates after high school and organize reunions. Junior officers help usher seniors to their seats at awards night and graduation along with decorating for prom. Underclassmen president’s roles focus on prom fundraisers. Sophomores sell water bottles and freshmen sell class shirts. 

“Being president isn’t even the ultimate goal,” Moore said. “Stepping up with a no-excuses attitude is the goal. There’s a special kind of bravery which plants a seed for future confidence, and running for class president requires that kind of bravery.”

Cummings said her goal as president is to unite her class for years to come.

“I plan to help organize some of the class of 2025’s events and use input from other students when organizing such things,” Cummings said. “My goal is to bring the seniors closer together and make sure that our class reunions will be fun and prioritized because senior year took our differences out and made us stronger and happier than ever.”

Junior class president Cale Wheeler said that his main goal is to represent the interest of his fellow juniors. 

“I ran for junior class president because I believe that I can use the position to represent our student body and push to get things done,” Wheeler said. “I look forward to the opportunity to improve our school with the help of my vice president, Armando Cardona.”

Students that are 18 had the opportunity to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election in the cafeteria during lunch last week in light of class president elections. 

“I am not yet 18, but I plan on registering to vote as soon as I am able to,” Wheeler said. “I feel a personal responsibility to vote in order to better our society. Voting is the most direct and effective way for citizens to influence our government and the decisions they make.” 

Cummings is not old enough to vote in the presidential election, but she said that when she is she will vote.

“I think it is important to vote because many places around the globe don’t have an option and so much was fought for so that me as a woman could vote,” Cummings said. “There is no way I’m throwing my vote out the window like a meaningless opportunity.”

Class elections provided students with a way to practice using their voices through voting before they vote in real world elections. 

“I think all the class presidents are great fits!” junior Elaina Hepting said. “I think the election process is pretty fair and I like that we get to watch their campaign videos. I voted because I think if you don’t vote, you are denying your opportunity to choose who you want as a president.” 

Wheeler said he thinks many people don’t vote but during this election he learned how he might be able to convince them to start.

“Many people simply don’t vote because no one has asked them for the opportunity to represent them,” Wheeler said. “The best way to increase voter turnout is by reaching out to the people who feel unheard, and then working to represent them and give them a voice. Even though politics can be daunting, and people often feel their vote doesn’t matter, the reality is that the only way to waste your vote is by not voting at all.” 

Moore said that a big benefit of the class elections is the inspiration it gives students.

“When a student pushes past the fear of judgment and steps up to run for office, or audition for a lead role, it indirectly gives others permission to do the same,” Moore said. “It’s inspiring, and others start to realize they can do it too. It’s contagious in the best way.”