The Class of 2010 has something to look foward to in this year’s spring ASB elections. Several people, both with past ASB experience and some newcomers, are vying for the titles of ASB Sophomore President and Vice President. According to Student Activities Director Allye Davies, these positions will govern their class’s participation in spirit week and other school functions.

Freshmen Alex Freeman, Brandon Chan, and Christine Chang are running for Sophomore Class President. Also, freshmen Olivia Diamond, Spencer Sims, Amanda Young, and Charlie Lin are running for Sophomore Class Vice President.

ASB Sophomore President and Vice President Candidates:

Sophomore President:

Alex Freeman –

As a current member of the Palo Alto Youth Council and a past participant in student government, freshman Alex Freeman believes that he has the experience necessary for the elected Sophomore class president.

“I have the organization and focus to be the class president,” Freeman said.

According to Freeman, the sophomore class deserves more representation and participation in the Paly community. He plans on encouraging more people to speak up about ASB and rekindle ASB-student body relations, through a possible ASB section in school publications.

“I think my grade is overlooked,” Freeman said. “I will make a stand to have our voices heard.”

Brandon Chan –

Christine Chang –

As the current freshman class president, freshman Christine Chang experienced many new events and met many new people. Her prolonged interest in Paly and student government prompted her to run again for sophomore class president.

“I was freshman class president during first semester and had a great time,” Chang said. “It’s fun helping to plan and organize school events and you get to meet a lot of great people. This is what made me want to run again.”

Aside from her past experience, Chang believes her cooperative character, sports record, and school spirit qualify her for the position. She has been playing soccer for 10 years, which, according to Chang, has contributed to her “team player” mentality.

“I think I am qualified because I love to help other people and am willing to go out of my way to do so,” said Chang. “I always listen to other’s ideas, and have tons of energy and school spirit.”

Chang has many ideas on how to improve the ASB, including a new method to spread more information to the student body.

“A good majority of the students are not aware of what ASB does and the activities that they are in the process of planning,” Chang said. “I think we can achieve better communication by making Paly news accessible through many different ways.”

She devised a plan to use regular flyers and posters to spread announcements throughout campus. Along with these notices, ASB members would spread information at advisories and during class.

“I really enjoy being a part of student government,” Chang said. “I want more students to feel involved and have an overall better high school experience.”

Sophomore Vice-Presidents:

Olivia Diamond –

Freshman Olivia Diamond has a long history of involvement in student government. Starting in the 4th grade, Diamond has held many roles on ASB, including 7th grade commissioner and 8th grade student body president at Jordan Middle School. This year, Diamond was on Paly ASB as freshman T.E.A.M president. To continue her role in student governement, Diamond is running for sophomore class vice president.

“I enjoyed being a part of ASB and I hope I get to contribute even more next year,” Diamond said. “I have many ideas on how to improve ASB and Paly class spirit.”

Diamond plans on incorporating Spirit Club into ASB and creating more intramural sports. She also plans on fundraising via a silent auction, that would bring money into Paly and towards good causes.

“This fundraise could raise money that we can choose to donate or use on fixing things at Paly that need to be fixed,” said Diamond.

According to Diamond, she will try to formulate fundraising ideas and generally improve sophomore class ideas.

“I will use different perspectives from students and try to put their ideas into action,” said Diamond.

Spencer Sims –

Although freshman Spencer Sims has no prior student government experience, he feels he has the character that will enable him to be a good sophomore vice president.

“I want to be more involved with or school and I think being Vice President is a way to get involved,” said Sims. “I am a leader with good ideas about what we can do to make the school better.”

Sims plans on improving school activities such as dances and spirit week. He will use his commitment and leadership skills to control the student governement.

“I will make sophomores have more fun by attempting to win spirit week and improving dances,” said Sims. “I am committed and always do my best.”

Amanda Young –

Freshman Amanda Young wants to participate in ASB as a way to become more involved in the Paly community. As a natural leader, Young plans on trying to eliminate student stress and making school functions more organized.

” At Paly, I want to find a way to de-stress students, especially the sophomore class,” Young said. “Also, this year spirit week seemed a bit crazy and out of control, so I want to make it more organized with better planning and supervision.”

Young believes her experience as a member of the Paly freshman volleyball team will help her if elected class vice president. She hopes for a more united school community.

“Working together is very important,” Young said. ” If everyone works together at Paly, then we can achieve our goals.”

Charlie Lin –

Freshman Charlie Lin believes the Paly Class of 2010 needs a real leader. That is why he plans on using his six years of ASB experience to help him in his campaign for class Vice President.

“I’m not really sure what the current President has done for us in the past semester,” Lin said. “I believe it’s time to take part in student government and put use to my experience.”

According to Lin, he plans on answering to the student body and listening to the student’s voice. He plans on joining together all of ASB to fix the problems in the Paly community.

“What needs to be changed is what the students think is wrong,” Lin said. “I, however, cannot achieve anything singlehandedly. I want all the ASB members to work together.”

As a current member of the Palo Alto Youth Council, Lin sees the change teens can make in a community.

“I know that teenagers can take a part in making a difference,” Lin said. “I’m open to a variety of ideas and am willing to cooperate.”