Every year at Paly, there becomes a time of intense struggle, heightened gradism, and most of all, the hope of three grades to tear down those below them: the freshman.

However, this year, Christine Chang, the freshman class president, hopes to bring her fellow classmates to a competitive level in Spirit Week this year.

Chang ran against Brandon Chan, and was elected on August 30th.

"There wasn’t a lot of drama. It wasn’t very stressful," Chang said.

In her speech, Chang emphasized her hopes to bring the freshman class together for Spirit Week.

"I want to make it fun and I think teamwork is very important," Chang said.

Student government is still new to Chang, though. Luckily, she feels she is getting a lot of support from other class representatives.

"It is a lot of work but I really like it," Chang said. "Everyone is really friendly and helpful."

Surprised by the student run atmosphere in her ASB class, Chang says she is mainly focused on Spirit Week and getting a float, dance, and shirts ready.

According to Chang, the freshman chose the theme, "Jail House Rock" where they will dress up as convicts for the theme day. The t-shirt design was turned in Tuesday, September 12th with the words, "Release date 2010. Free the Freshman," on the back.

"She’s really enthusiastic and puts a lot into everything she does," freshman Oana Enache said.

However, student government is still foreign to Chang as it was never something she had pursued before.

Chang first became interested in student government because of her peers at Jordan Middle School.

"During middle school a lot of my friends ran for office and it looked interesting," Chang said. "My sister [Robin Chang, class of 2006] is also a role model for me. She did some student government stuff too and watching her showed me what kind of person I wanted to be."

Following in her sister’s footsteps, her friends feel she was well picked for the position.

"She has a lot of spirit and she’s a very hard worker," freshman Caroline Wang said.

Most of all, Chang says she cares that her class gets a lot out of the work that she will be doing, and said she is up for the challenge and ready to shine as the new freshman class president.

"I want to show them what Paly has to offer," Chang said. "I know I will have a really fun time, not just for me, but for my whole class." Chang said.