The Paly Voice conducted a question-and-answer session with the junior class presidential and vice presidential candidates. Here is what they had to say.
Claire Liu (junior class President candidate)
Voice: Why are you running for class president?
Claire Liu: I’m running for Junior Class President because I love my grade. Next year is going to be rough, and I want to make it just a little bit better for my peers. I feel as though the class of 2015 has been lacking in spirit and overall unity the past two years, and I want to help bring back the fire.
V: What makes you a better fit than your opponent?
CL: I am a better fit for this position because I have proved my reliability and responsibility throughout the past four years I’ve spent in student government. I am the only candidate with any experience in ASB [and] student council. I’m also someone who is easy to reach, both at school and online. I have really put myself out there throughout middle school and high school and my peers already know they can come to me if they have questions, criticism or just someone to talk to.
V: What experience do you have?
CL: I started my student government “career” in 6th grade when I ran for vice president of my class. I then proceeded to serve as class president for a consecutive 3 years, up until freshmen year. Although I took an ASB break this year due to schedule conflicts, I still helped lead my class throughout Spirit Week, and took it upon myself to publicize ASB events.
V: What is your finishing statement? What would you like your voters to know?
CL: I hope that my hard work, passion and willingness to go all out during spirit week has shown throughout the past few years. I truly, truly love being on ASB and helping my peers in any way possible, [and] I genuinely enjoy listening to them and speaking out for them. I believe my class has immense potential and I’m incredibly excited to see the things we accomplish together next year.
Albert Wang (junior class president candidate)
Voice: Why are you running for class president?
Albert Wang: I am running for junior class president because, I want to encourage more participation in events, I want everyone to be involved in the planning of ASB events and finally I want ASB to play a bigger role in our junior year.
V: What makes you a better fit than your opponent?
AW: I feel that I am a good fit for this position because, I understand the value of communication between the ASB and students, I will be persistent in trying to get your goals for events approved, and I will make sure ASB makes everyone feels welcome at their events.
V: What experience do you have?
AW: I have experience in leadership in activities outside of school but, not yet in the student body. However, I hope that this does not become a deciding factor in your vote since, if elected one of my first priorities will be to learn ASB inside and out.
V: What is you finishing statement? what would you like your voters to know?
AW: I would like to finish with saying that, I have good ideas and will make ASB a lot better next year. However, my biggest problem is that there is not enough awareness for my campaign. So, if you agree with my points, please try to promote my campaign to all the sophomores you know.
Lydia Berry (junior class vice president candidate)
Voice: Why are you running for class vice president?
Lydia Berry: I am running for class vice president because I really love the energy our grade has and I think think our grade has a lot of great ideas that have yet to be shared, so I want to help he the one to bring those ideas to light.
V: What makes you a better fit than your opponent?
LB: Well, I am friends with my opponent so I personally think we could both get the job done, I just feel I have different priorities and more past experience with student leadership.
V: What experience do you have?
LB: I have been the leader for our grades spirit dance both years and also helped out the president and vice president last year during class events. In middle school I participated in many different forms of student leadership. Also, in kindergarten I was selected as line leader multiple times, so that’s a pretty big deal if you ask me.
V: What is you finishing statement? what would you like your voters to know?
LB: I would just like the voters to know that I will do anything I can to help make your year better, and that I plan to work really hard to make our junior year successful.
Preston Kuppe (junior class vice president candidate)
Voice: Why are you running for class vice president?
Preston Kuppe: I am running because I want to have an impact on how our school is run, I feel like I have good ideas and that I can help next year be a successful one.
V: What makes you a better fit than your opponent?
PK: I am a better fit than my opponent because I am more committed, more responsible, and I feel like I can appeal to the majority of our class better than she can.
V: What experience do you have?
PK: I have no experience being a school ASB member, however I have many great ideas and know how to implement them successfully among the rest of the class.
V: What is your finishing statement? What would you like your voters to know?
PK: I would like them to know that if I am elected, next year will be a whole lot of fun and I will work to the best of my ability to accomplish our goals.
For more election coverage, click here.
Photos courtesy of Palo Alto High School ASB elections profiles