On Sept. 3, the HSSC election for the school year 2024-’25 of the freshman class took place in the auditorium where each candidate presented what they wished to accomplish this school year.
During the election, all of the 18 students running for HSSC gave a short 1 to 2-minute speech to introduce themselves and their objectives. After the candidates finished their speeches, the freshman class voted for the students they believed would be suitable members of HSSC. Five students were elected as HSSC members: Ethan Park, Minjoo Kim, Michael Jang, Leona Gohde, and Jay Yoo. Each of the students elected as a member of HSSC had different goals and motivations to run for HSSC.
“While there isn’t a specific reason I chose to run, the majority of my decision to apply as a candidate revolved around the need for improvement and the care for my fellow peers,” Leona Gohde (9), newly elected member of HSSC, said. “I also enjoy leadership positions and I thought it’d be a very good experience. It’s better to run than do nothing, and I knew it was worth a try, even if I didn’t get in.”
HSSC is a great opportunity for students to not only experience being part of an influential leadership team but also be pressured with the expectation to provide the best environment for their fellow students.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students to understand leadership as serving other people,” Megan Mannell, HSSC advisor, said. “I think we typically think of leadership as being in a position of power, but in HSSC, we find out that it is about doing things for others and trying to serve what they want. I think that is a really good opportunity for people who get elected in those positions.”
While being a courageous and outspoken leader is crucial for guiding the student body, being an attentive and communicative listener is also vital for effective leadership.
“I wish to ‘listen’ as a member of the HSSC,” Minjoo Kim (9), elected HSSC member, said. “Because a lot of the time, being a leader is not only about speaking up but also listening to even the smallest voices. This is what I want to achieve this year, by hearing these voices and representing them as a student body.”
HSSC hosts various events for the students, including late nights for each of the grades, Assassin, fall festival, winter event, Valograms, casino night, and bubble soccer.
“One of the things that most students know about is the Snack Shack,” Ms. Mannell said. “Trying to provide snacks that students really want is a big responsibility. They are committing one of their office hours every week to go in there and serve food. They have to learn how to communicate with one another and organize themselves there. In terms of planning events, some things that the students want. There’s a lot of organizations and brainstorming ideas involved, collaborating with each other to make sure that the events are a success.”
Although HSSC does not hold the same level of authority compared to the administration, they still play a vital role in students’ daily lives. This experience will not only be an opportunity for their own personal growth, but also a chance to benefit the entire school community.
