On February 15, 2023, the entire Jesuit student body cast their votes for one of the four tickets. The four tickets were Gustavo Aldrey-Mark Trottier, Chris Simington-Drew Noonan, Ashton Krug-Jack Bradshaw, and Logan Thompson-Sam McFarland.
Throughout the remainder of the day, conversations among students included “Who did you vote for?” and “Who do you think will win?”. Eventually, Chris Simington and Drew Noonan won the primary elections.
Following their successful campaign, I had the opportunity to talk with Chris Simington (president) and Drew Noonan (vice president) about their journey to victory.
INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS SIMINGTON & DREW NOONAN
Can you share with us your campaigning experience and journey leading up to the election?
Drew: For us, it was a lot of hard work and dedication. Chris and I have a combined 5 years of experience on the student council. He’s been part of it since freshman year. I joined in sophomore year. I believe that our experience has bolstered important skills necessary for student council leadership.
Upon news of your victory, what was your state of mind at the time?
Chris: When I first found out that I had won, I was ecstatic. In fact, I was right next to my VP, Drew Noonan, as we celebrated in the varsity football locker rooms. Furthermore, I thanked God for the victory and called my mom immediately. She was so excited for me but reminded me not to let it get to my head. I was pleased with the result but knew I had to stay humble so I reminded myself to enjoy the moment. Moreover, I had to remember that all the other candidates were just as qualified thus they could have been in my same position, so I must remain grateful for this gracious opportunity to lead my class for the foreseeable future.
Drew: Pure elation. Chris and I were together in the varsity football locker room, and we proceeded to celebrate with some of our teammates. I then drove home with a smile on my face and told my parents as soon as I could.
Now that you have won, what are you looking forward to doing next?
Chris: Well, I know a big one is changing the perception around STUCO due to the student body’s unawareness of the impact and change we truly have on the school. This doesn’t mean granting ourselves the credit for changes around the school but instead informing them of future projects or our true job on the council. We want them to know that we truly listen to every request, so, as such we strongly encourage everyone that has any feedback or suggestion to share them with any Student Council member. Another thing I’m looking forward to doing next is carrying out some of the promises we told we would try to push for like dress-down days, helping fund more underrepresented clubs, etc. in order to ensure a better atmosphere around our school where everyone truly enjoys the school as a whole.
Drew: For me, it’s mainly about changing the perception around STUCO. Several times throughout our campaign, we were approached by many kids who had no idea what Student Council members do. Although any STUCO position is a job rooted in selfless service to the Jesuit community, we want the student body to know that we are making changes and are listening to their requests. We strongly encourage everyone that has any feedback or suggestion to share them with any STUCO member.
Do you have any initiatives or objectives as student body president and vice president?
Chris: Although we haven’t been sworn in as of writing, we hope to better understand the areas of strength and opportunities we can help to improve throughout our school. Drew and I have both agreed that the first thing we will prioritize stands to be the health and well-being of the council members themselves, communicating our expectations for them, as well as making sure every one of them realizes they are more than just a position in the group.
Instead, we hope every member realizes that we truly care for them and will do anything within our capabilities to ensure they are spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically at their best. This is even more significant as we have elections coming up which may mean we witness new faces and as a result, we must be able to portray to them how we truly are there for them no matter what. Similarly, we want to make sure the student body, whom we represent, realizes the comfort we hope to bring to them as well. Due to Drew and I also participating in Hope Squad, I feel we habitually desire to assist people in general so we wish to continue this approach originally laid out by Joey Trigiani and Patrick Bennett later followed by Raul Hernandez and Micheal Mathie. With that being said, go vote in the upcoming officer elections, and may the best man win.
Drew: As soon as we realize the extent of our reach, we will first prioritize the health and well being of the council members themselves, communicating our expectations for them. With elections for open seats on the council coming up, Chris and I will be keeping a close eye on the results (we encourage everyone to vote, every vote matters!). Moving forward, we will continue to uphold the council’s dedication to the Student Body through consistently making ourselves available. Additionally, Chris and I will begin working on implementing key points we promoted throughout our campaign.
Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share?
Chris: Once again, I’m lucky to have Drew, a hardworking leader, as my vice president who will contribute to the team and assist in the progression towards an improved school, a community that will ultimately allow the whole council and me to lead the student body one step closer to the prominent mission that Jesuit provides each and every single day.
Drew: Finally, Chris and I are a unified team, two excited young leaders working on the same level who seek to promote the greater good amongst the Jesuit student body. Go Rangers!
Congratulations to Chris Simington and Drew Noonan on their tremendous accomplishment! We look forward to their leadership of the Student Council next year. Stay tuned to The Roundup for more student council and school news!
