Positions of utmost importance to the school, the student body president and vice president are faced with the challenge of representing not only the school but all of its students. With a great deal of work and dedication, they try to meet the needs of their peers by listening to their concerns and needs.
For the next year, Student Council President Garrett Amy ’15 and Vice President Zander Erturkuner ’15 will be faced with these very challenges. Poised to complete the job successfully, they will continue the process of being the face of Jesuit. Each with several tenures as class officers under their belts, they will look to improve the school and respond to the voices of over a thousand young men.
Mr. Colin Hanley, a Jesuit English teacher and head of student council, spoke to these responsibilities, saying, “While these guys aren’t obviously making the big choices that major world leaders are making…they really are trying to do what the entire student body wants.”
Reflecting on the difficulties that come with the title, Hanley said, “Well, I certainly couldn’t do it while I was in school. [There’s] a lot of pressure, a lot of responsibility. You represent the school in all facets. You have to make sure the student body is supportive and rowdy but in a contained way at sporting events. You need to make sure that different school functions, Ranger Day, school dances, go well and that everyone has a good time.”
Although in the past they have done a good job in many ways, Hanley hopes to see this next duo extend their reach: “I would like to see the next ticket take a more active role in community service and campus ministry. There’s no reason why there can’t be a student council prayer service or a student council led service trip somewhere. If you’re supposed to be the leaders of the school, what better way than to partake in all parts of the mission?”
Even with the great responsibilities that Amy and Erturkuner have, Hanley insisted that other students, “Speak up! All students have access to the student council Moodle page, so post [your concerns or ideas] there. Or speak to the candidates directly.” He emphasized the duty students have to communicate with their student body president and vice president, saying, “If you want it, say it, and we’ll try to make it happen!” Despite the great ability to change the face of the school, Hanley humorously spoke to the limitations of the position, saying, “We’re still not gonna be able to have girls at Jesuit though.”
