Hoping to better Jesuit in their efforts, two individuals serve as the president and vice president of the student body, representing their class to the best of their ability. This means steadfast dedication to the students and a willingness to listen to and work to resolve their concerns.
This year, juniors Garrett Amy and Zander Erturkuner, running for president and vice president respectively, will run against juniors Jackson Slaugther and Nick Swope. Both tickets have great visions for the school and look to improve the lives of all students.
Matt Siess ’14, current student body president, spoke of what this position entails, saying “it takes commitment, responsibility, dedication, and, most importantly, communication skills.” Placing an emphasis on the relationship between the president and the students, Siess established the clear need for clear and consistent dialogue between the two parties.
Amy and Erturkuner are not new to student council, with Amy currently acting as the junior president and Erturkuner as the junior Vice President. This experience means they are familiar with the importance of communication and dialogue that Siess highlighted. And they are confident in this experience, feeling that it “will translate to an increase in productivity” at the position. They hope to “take a more hands on role for student concerns,” seeking to allow “students to be able to express their concerns to us, knowing something will be done about them.” Hoping to represent students as they have in the past, Amy and Erturkuner look to continue and improve upon their presence in student council.
Slaughter and Swope, although newcomers, have great ambitions for the school as well. Despite not having the experience of their opponents, “Slaughter and Swope have known each other since freshman year” and have since then “developed a very strong synergy” which they believe will transition well to representing the student body. With hopes to bring fresh insight founded in Jesuit principles, they plan on “improving [the school] by working closely with the administration to make sure that we are able to help the students” while “still focusing on the things that make Jesuit great and following it’s ideals.”
Each pair feels prepared to get to work for the student body immediately, eager to get started and confident in their abilities. Slaughter and Swope feel that they are the best choice because “we are both strong leaders and also bright and innovative.” Amy and Erturkuner want the voters to know that they “are working people who truly want to do everything we can to improve the school, especially by taking on student concerns.” Both pairs show great promise and ultimately reflect the standards that Jesuit holds sacred.
When voting, one must remember what an important responsibility the election process is. Siess encourages that “students should make their decision based on who they think is the best fit to represent their voice in student council.” Urging students to “make sure that [the candidates] want to represent you” and make sure that they “seem dedicated to the student council because they are working for you and committed to putting your ideas to work.”
Regardless of who you vote for, it is important that you go out and voice your opinion!
