Annually, the Jesuit student body decides who will best represent their school in the Student Council (STUCO) elections. On March 8, 2023, this year will feature four juniors and seven sophomores running for STUCO class officer positions. In the past few weeks leading up to voting day, candidates have conducted advertising campaigns throughout school. The speeches below reflect each candidate’s extracurriculars, character, and platform. Hopefully, these speeches will help students decide who will be the next class officers.
Class of 2024
Gustavo Aldrey
Being able to represent the student body requires an individual who is determined to be a leader. However, I believe that it is most important for an individual to listen to his peers and act. I am a member of the Hope Squad, Admissions Ambassadors, Campus Ministry leaders, and the Jesuit Tennis Team. Personally, I believe that I bring a diverse background of involvement in the community to the Student Council. Throughout my tenure on the STUCO, I have gained experience and knowledge from various past leaders of the Jesuit community. Previous leaders have taught me how to be an effective leader and representative of my peers.
More importantly, I learned how to drive to action and change. I have exemplified this in the past few years through organizing several events. These events included Homecoming, Ranger Day, Freshman Mixer, Senior Send Off, and Prom. In addition, I have worked with our school’s catering to provide better food options. Whether it be working with coaches, teachers, students, or professionals (e.g. guest speakers). I believe that I have many ideas to make an impact on the school and commmunity.
Given the opportunity, I promise to continue acting as an effective liaison between the students and the administration. Hopefully, this will bring the Jesuit community to its strongest capacity. Furthermore, the needs of the student body are ever changing with new developments around the school, colleges, and the world.
Having said that, I deem it vital to be a continual voice and representative of my peers. In addition, I shall address the concerns that are greatly affecting the community daily. Finally, I am dedicated to working with my fellow peers and the administrators to continuously make Jesuit an environment. This school shall be a place where everyone can thrive and achieve success.
Mark Trottier
Throughout my career at Jesuit, I believe that I should be elected due to my communication and project management skills. I am currently the Chief Communications Officer for Jesuit Hope Squad as well as the President of Key Club. Through these activities, I have learned the importance of public speaking and organizing individuals into teams. With Hope Squad, I have helped to oversee the Week of Hope and Day of Hope. Specifically, this included planning and establishing logistics for these beneficial school wide events. I have presented on behalf of Jesuit Hope Squad at a 300+ conference for mental health awareness.
At this event, I learned how to clearly articulate my ideas across a diverse crowd. In addition, I learned how to work with individuals I have never met before in a common goal. This previous year I participated in planning and executing Ranger Day as a Junior Representative. Also, I want to facilitate a smoother Ranger Day for the following year. Also, I think a great community event would be using the Hughes Hall projector often. For example, we can broadcast March Madness and other major sporting events. Reflecting on the freshman mixer, I think we need more games as it will boost interactions between the freshmen. We can do this by acquiring more spikeball nets and other games. I’m also part of MAGIS where I peer mentor students.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of consistency and how to reach a variety of differing personalities. This will be advantageous as the president and vice-president will serve the whole community. Please let me know if there’s anything Gustavo and I can do for you.
Ashton Krug
I believe that the student body president should be viewed not necessarily as a superior, but rather as a brother who can be looked to for guidance and assistance. One of the main reasons why I should be elected is because I would not let the title of president impact the way. Moreover, I view not only my Jesuit brothers, but also the way I view myself.
In the present day, I represent my school in as many ways. Currently, I am a member of Hope Squad and Admissions Ambassadors. In addition, I participate in two service organizations: Key Club and PALS. With this being my first year in Hope Squad, I have realized that receiving and giving guidance from peers and brothers is so essential to growth as a man for others.
To improve the Jesuit community, I would first advocate for more parking spots in both parking lots. This must occur in order for less stress to arise whenever a late arrival for any reason may happen. Another thing I would do is be an advocate for the student body’s requests and ideas to make Jesuit into the most enjoyable and vibrant experience possible for all students.
Finally, I believe that I possess many qualities that are typically attributed to an individual who is capable of leading the student body. Some of these qualities include friendliness, humility, decisiveness, maturity, and commitment. I truly believe that I have found my way here at Jesuit Dallas, and it is through those qualities that I aspire to be the best man for others that I can be.
Jack Bradshaw
I love Jesuit Dallas! I would like to run for student council. The reason is that I want to preserve and represent every aspect I love about Jesuit. This includes Jesuit’s the outstanding education, supportive brotherhood, Christian environment, and competitive extracurriculars. I genuinely believe the more you put into Jesuit, the more you get back. Therefore, serving in this capacity will allow me to help others and grow as a person myself. I have been at Jesuit for three years and have loved every minute of my experience. The main reason I should be elected is that I have an unrivaled passion and appreciation for Jesuit. I will utilize this passion to give back to Jesuit by sharing my time and best efforts.
At Jesuit Dallas, I participate in multiple student organizations. I am a founding member of Godly Guys, a freshman retreat leader, a Varsity soccer player, an ambassador, a PALS (junior service group) member, and the Vice President of the Ted-Ed club.
As much as I love our school, if I were elected, the first problem I would attempt to solve would be finding a more efficient food distribution process so that everyone can get their food faster at lunch. Finally, I believe two of my most eminent leadership qualities are my strong moral character and ability to be a good listener. Often, I feel the ability to listen is overlooked as a leader. However, my capability to listen will result in increased proficiency and efficiency in solving problems at Jesuit.
Class of 2025
Aidan Raymond
I should be elected to be a class officer for the class of 2025 because I possess many skills, qualifications, and experiences that would make me adequate to be an officer. One of my main strengths lies in leadership. Specifically, I am able to inspire and motivate others, lead by example, and make difficult decisions.
At Jesuit, I am currently a member of Brothers For Others, Jesuit Varsity Lacrosse team, Junior Classical League, and I am in the Investment Club. Outside of school, I just finished a month-long campaign with a group of team members raising money for Leukemia research and for children who have been diagnosed with Leukemia for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I am very proud of this as I led the team raising close to $70,000.
Currently, I also believe that I should be elected to be a class officer because I am very organized, always having a direct plan of action. Specifically, I am a problem solver coming up with creative solutions to the given problem. Also, I possess great collaboration skills being able to work well in a team environment, collaborating effectively to reach a common goal. One of my goals if I am elected as class officer is to improve school culture and engagement. This is a big thing for me as I always want to be included in things and I am sure others feel that same way. To do this, I want to foster a more positive and inclusive environment by promoting different activities, clubs, sports, and academic programs.
Santiago Alvarez
I should be elected because of my determination, resilience, excellence, perspicacity, firm honesty, and awareness. These qualities enable me to tackle challenges head-on, persist in the face of adversity, strive for excellence in my actions, think critically and creatively, uphold high ethical standards, and stay attuned to the needs and aspirations of others. As a representative, I will work tirelessly to advance the interests and welfare of my peers, foster a culture of respect, inclusivity, and accountability, and uphold the values and mission of our school.
As a student, I represent my school by actively participating in various extracurriculars like 24/7, Sophomore CLC, the Car Club, and Volleyball. I also strive to embody the values and principles that our school stands for, such as academic excellence, service, leadership, and integrity. Whether in the classroom, on the court, or in the community, I seek to be a positive role model and a supportive teammate who contributes to the overall success and spirit of our school.
If elected, I have several plans to improve Jesuit. I would strive to actively communicate the problems that circulate throughout the student body. I would seek to enhance the school’s outreach and engagement with the broader community by collaborating with local organizations, promoting service-learning opportunities, and raising awareness of social and environmental issues. Already, I have created a plan with a classmate to create a group/club that will enable Jesuits to expand.
I believe I possess several leadership qualities that make me qualified to represent my class, including but not limited to: communication skills, collaborative spirit, adaptability, creativity, and vision. Personally, I am able to articulate my ideas clearly and persuasively, listen actively and empathetically, and work with others to achieve common goals that will help improve Jesuit and the student’s experience at Jesuit. I am also able to adapt to changing circumstances, think outside the box, and envision a better future for my class and my school.
Finally, I am committed to leading by example, upholding ethical standards, and striving for excellence in all that I do.
Jack Winterle
As a candidate for class officer, I believe that my strong passion for making a difference in our school community makes me the best fit for this role. The student council serves as a vital link between the student body and the administration. I firmly believe that I have the necessary skills and qualities to effectively represent my fellow students.
Currently, I represent my school through active participation in various clubs and organizations. I am a member of the rugby team, where I have honed my critical thinking and communication skills. Moreover, I have participated in several community service projects, including Magis and teaching young kids with down syndrome how to swim over summer. These experiences have taught me the importance of teamwork, communication, and leadership, which are essential qualities for a successful student council representative.
As a member of the student council, I plan to work on several initiatives to improve Jesuit. One of my top priorities is to increase student involvement in school activities and events. I believe that by creating a more inclusive environment, we can foster a stronger sense of community and school spirit. Additionally, I plan to work closely with the administration to address issues of concern for the student body, such as improving school facilities and promoting mental health and well-being.
My leadership qualities include effective communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work collaboratively with others. As a member of the student council, I will listen to the concerns and ideas of my fellow students and work tirelessly to address them. I believe that my dedication, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact in our school community make me an ideal candidate for this role.
In conclusion, I am excited about the opportunity to represent my fellow students and contribute to the success of our school community as a member of the student council. I am committed to working collaboratively with my peers and the administration to bring positive change to Jesuit and make our school an even better place for everyone.
Max Sabogal
There are many reasons that I should be elected to the Student Council. Currently, I am a member of the Student Council. Back then, I was elected because my class believed that I would be a good leader and representative for our grade. I have proved these expectations to be true and have been an excellent representative for our school. Also, I have been through two cycles of STUCO in which I have learned to work with people that have different personalities and opinions.
Currently, I represent Jesuit through being a part of Admissions Ambassadors, Entrepreneurship Club, The Roundup, Spanish Honor Society, Leadership Huddle, Faithful Fellows, the sophomore Christian Leadership Group, and Jesuit Soccer. I take my commitment to these groups seriously and am honored that the teachers and organizers trust me to participate in them. Earlier this year, I was honored as Ranger of the Week. As a freshman, I did service work at St. Jude’s, AIDS Services of Dallas, Soul Church. Also, I participated in the service immersion experience in Guatemala last summer. Recently, I just returned from the latest Guadalajara Immersion trip from February 17-25.
In conjunction with my fellow Student Council members, I would like to improve Jesuit by offering all students an easier, cooperative channel to suggest things or changes that they would like to see. As a council, we would weigh the suggestions and try to put some of the suggestions into action. I possess many leadership qualities, which make me qualified to represent the student body. The following qualities include discipline, compassion, trustworthiness, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and hard working.
Moreover, I am a leader throughout all the activities that I participate in. For instance, as an Admissions Ambassador, I helped interview the next freshman class for Jesuit. This is a big responsibility and shows that I am qualified for another leadership position. In addition, helped give tours around the school for families in hope that they would choose Jesuit for their son. I am also a leader outside of the school, such as being the captain for my club soccer team.
I have discipline in the way I study and how I organize my time. Regarding academics, I study efficiently every night. I effectively balance my time to hang out with my friends and family. I show compassion and trustworthiness throughout my daily interactions. Specifically, I am compassionate about what I strive to do, and my friends trust me with help they need. I show my responsibility by effectively juggling all the things that I am a part of. Finally, I am accountable because I take responsibility for my actions, good and bad.
Rishi Danda
Being a part of the student council is something that I take very seriously, and pride myself very heavily on. It has been an opportunity to contribute to the school in a positive way, and help the people around me in any way possible. Being a part of a group that can have the effect that the student council has is a big honor. This is something that I do not take for granted. The reason is that I hope to continue to make a difference and lead the people in my class.
I believe that I should be elected because of my willingness to do what is necessary. This must occur in order to for me to help others and myself succeed. Accountability is something that a leader needs to have. Specifically, a leader needs to recognize their own mistakes in order to help others recognize the ones that they make. I believe that I hold myself accountable and make sure that I correct myself more often than I try to help others.
Similar to accountability, communication is something that I believe that I exhibit, and it’s important for a leader to be able to communicate, because all problems and ideas can only be solved or portrayed through communication. To lead effectively is defined as taking the initiative in an action and provide an example for others to follow. Personally, I believe that I exemplify this trait of communication. I hope to continue to use that trait to have a positive effect on my school through the council.
Currently, I am a part of the council, something I hope to continue for the rest of my time here, United to Lead, a service organization that helps tutor kids, admissions ambassadors, The Roundup, and Leadership Huddle. I have been on the council for the majority of my freshman and sophomore years. During my tenure, I initiated a project that will allow students to express any issues or suggestions to STUCO. During meetings, we talked about these raised questions and how we can implement or solve them. I hope to be a part of the council again, and continue to represent my class.
Cole Hatzmann
It would be a great honor to be re-elected to STUCO. While looking back on my previous term, I see how much our school has changed for the better. Yet, I know we are still able to raise the bar of excellence. Above all, I am growing in appreciation for and admiration of the whole package of the Jesuit formation.
Faith, community, and academic excellence are vital pillars in the Jesuit experience. As a leader of the Class of 2025, I commit to support and exemplify those pillars in my life. My leadership skills are being developed through Hope Squad, Ignatian Service Corps, Rangers for Life, Boy Scouts, athletic teams, and church involvement. Through these experiences, I work to respect others at all times and build up each individual as he strives for greatness. In turn, I hope to earn respect by being approachable, trustworthy, and hardworking.
Jesuit is a spectacular place! By continuing my involvement on the Student Council, I hope to explore ways for students to collaborate more closely with faculty and staff. I believe the most important thing I can offer is to find ways to support all students to be their best – in the classroom, at lunch, on the sports field, or serving in the community. Creating new traditions and inspiring more ownership in our school are my ultimate goals. No doubt, the Jesuit brotherhood is the game-changer through it all.
Brody Carlson
I am interested in representing my class as Student Council Officer. I am a current member of the Hope Squad, Admissions Ambassadors, Spanish Honors Society, and Faithful Fellows. Based on experience, I believe in a lot of perspectives to what Jesuit might need in terms of Student Life.
A good officer is someone who listens to the voice of his peers. Moreover, he innovates and shares those ideas with the members of the Student Council. I should be elected as a Class Officer because I am a very approachable and empathetic person. Personally, I am very easy to talk to you. My empathy plays a key role in who I am as a person as it helps me to understand the situation of someone and their motive for their opinion.
Listening to someone’s opinion is one thing, but understanding their reasoning to why they have it gives more detail to what they want changed. For example, a student might think that Freshman Mixer did not go well. As a result, we must try to address this problem in order to make the experience better. But if we understand that this student previously came from a public school and doesn’t know many people, that gives us more insight into what we need to change, like including more teamwork activities (help him meet others). To introduce this plan it takes good communication to faculty and students as well as an open mindset when listening to the ideas of others as I might not like them but maybe others do.
The final goal isn’t to just represent the class, but to elevate the voice of the class. In addition, we must allow the class to positively change. This change shall occur as long as it doesn’t harm the school in any way.
