A Word from Your Candidates for Student Council President

By Isabel Zedlitz ('24) and Eddy Kang ('24), Co-Editors in Chief

Now that the Student Council general elections have passed, the officer races are starting to ramp up. Perhaps the most highly-anticipated race of the year, the Presidential campaigns, are sure to be tight races this year, as six of the seven eligible juniors are planning to launch campaigns for the 2023-2024 Student Council Presidency. Anh Thu Nguyen, John Hughes, Audrey Haynes, Milin Kumar, Pari Gulati, and Ayan Zubair (all ‘24)  have announced their candidacy, so Co-Editors in Chief Eddy Kang (‘24)  and Isabel Zedlitz (‘24) created some questions for our candidates to answer concerning their values and plans for the upcoming school year. 

Disclaimer: All candidates were approached with the questions and the deadlines. Candidates not represented failed to meet the deadline. All answers stated are entirely candidate opinions, and the Crier does not endorse nor represent any one candidate. All we offer are answers to inform your personal voting decision. 

1) Why are you running for StuCo President?

Pari Gulati: Ever since the day I came to Casady in the fifth grade, being Student Council President is a position I dreamed of attaining. As communications chair for the past two years I have had the honor to truly listen to what changes the student body would like to see and do my best to bring those changes to life.The main reason I am running for StuCo president, though, is because I really want to give the student body the high school experience they deserve and dream of. 

Anh Thu Nguyen: I am running for Student Council President because I want to create the best possible experience for everyone in the Upper Division and beyond. I have the leadership capabilities and skills to connect not only with my classmates but with other grades. As StuCo President, I would take into consideration all points of view and provide opportunities for communication for anyone and everyone to voice their opinions. I believe that there is so much StuCo can do for the student body, and I see a vision of the potential that we have in the future to not only solve problems but anticipate future issues. If I were to be elected Student Council President, I would use my passion and determination to make everyone’s high school experience something they can be proud of and pass that excitement down to future UD Cyclones. 

Audrey Haynes: I’m running for Student Council President to ensure the student body’s opinions are validated and to create an atmosphere for an amazing 2023-2024 school year. 

John Hughes: I’m running for president because I believe that Casady school deserves a leader that really represents the whole populace. The previous administration has not connected, in my opinion, as much as they should have. I believe that while we have had some successes this year, we have a lot more work to do, and I plan to do that. I am also running because I want the Christmas pep rally back, and that is one of my goals. 

Ayan Zubair: I’m running for Student Council President because I have been on Student Council for a couple years now, and I have enjoyed the time and work that I’ve put into it, and wanted to take on a bigger role. More importantly, I want to enhance the student body’s say on what we do even more. 

Milin Kumar: I’m running to make this school and this community a better place, and just because this school has given me a lot, especially the people here, so I would love to give back to the people that have given to me. 

2) In what ways are you going to make StuCo more transparent and more accountable to the student body?

Pari Gulati: As president I hope to make StuCo more transparent through the better usage of social media, hosting sit-ins during the activities period, as well as open student council meetings. I believe that by hosting a sit-in during the activities period we would be able to attract more students as well as answer questions about what StuCo is doing to create a more transparent environment. I would also like to host occasional open StuCo meetings so that students can share their input and get an insight into what a StuCo meeting consists of. 

Anh Thu Nguyen: The Student Council’s main goal is to be the voice of the student body to the administration, and I would make this communication and availability a priority. I would like to have morning forums where any student can come in and speak with me about what they want to see StuCo do, no matter how big or small, and I will consider this information in what the next steps of action would be. What I found to be very helpful this year was Google form surveys. These anonymous surveys would allow people who may not want to meet in person or don’t have time to submit their thoughts. Additionally, I would set up separate meetings for grades to meet with their representatives to then report to the larger council.

Audrey Haynes: Honesty is the best policy and the most efficient way to get things done. 

John Hughes: I spearheaded the campaign to elect David Ruffin in the special election. I believe that transparency is really the best thing that can connect us to the student body, and I would support the Secretary being authorized taking notes of what we do everyday and presenting it to the student body in a certain form that they can view. Transparency is very good for governmental bodies, and I look at my service in Student Council as serving in a governmental position.

Ayan Zubair:  This year, a lot of decisions we made were rushed because of the 75th Anniversary, so we couldn't get as much say from the student body as we used to. We didn’t give out a poll for homecoming as we usually do. So obviously for big decisions, we need to get more student opinion by sending out polls like we did last year. 

Milin Kumar: Something that I don't think we do as well is including students on the actual details of what is happening. For example, when we do dress up days we come up with the dress up days, which isn’t a bad idea, but perhaps we can the students vote on them as opposed to we voting on them. [StuCo] can always speak for each other. [StuCo] could be the 20 percent of the student body that likes an idea, and the school is the 80 percent that isn’t in favor. We can see a different perspective if the students gave their thoughts. I would also like to give chapel announcements filling students in more often. 

3) How will you implement student feedback in new ways?

Pari Gulati: I hope to implement student feedback by making sure that on the agenda there is time set aside for going over student feedback for each student council meeting. Oftentimes with all the events that StuCo plans feedback truly only comes up in crucial moments as well as small comments and that means that things can get briefed over. I, however, would like to make a change to that by making sure that each feedback gets the chance to be heard. 

Anh Thu Nguyen: From student feedback, I would take note of recurring problems or responses that require further information. I would go to those students and ask deeper questions and details on what they are experiencing and what they want to see change. From this, I would create response strategies to discuss with the council and administration to continue the conversation. In terms of implementation, there must be a consensus between StuCo, and the administration, while also making sure that it still satisfies a student’s original comment succinctly. 

Audrey Haynes: I will take feedback directly from [the student body] which will be used to make decisions that will benefit the student body overall. 

John Hughes: I’ve been doing that all three years. I’ve been going to the students. This year, in October, I went into the sophomore building and went around each table and asked, "What do you want to see for BLUE Week?” I’ve done many things like that in our grade, with the seniors. It's been really helpful. We always try to make sure that their ideas are voiced in StuCo meetings, so that they can be on the table. 

Ayan Zubair: [Previous response ties into this question]. Also, we could make a survey once a month to ask the student body what they would want. 

Milin Kumar: I want to take into consideration the problem of a lack of student feedback and act on it, because right now, it’s taken into consideration, but it’s not acted on. We never talk about it during meetings. After dances and pep rallies, I know we do send out forms, but those forms aren’t really talked about… about how we can improve school. I think there should be more forms sent out for how we can improve for the students. We don’t really do a great job of back and forth with students.

4) What are some changes you will try to make within StuCo? Within the Upper Division?

Pari Gulati: Within StuCo I hope to create a more welcoming environment, especially for the underclassmen. I would like to create an environment in which the underclassmen are not scared to voice any of their opinions to the entire council and that their voices are heard to the same extent that the upperclassmen' voices are too. Within the Upper Division I hope to create a more energetic environment in which the student body feels excited to participate in. Some ways I hope to do this is through bringing games that have the entire upper division participate in huge games during pep rallies, and bringing new ideas to the student section during friday night football games. 

Anh Thu Nguyen: The main change that I would like to make within StuCo is to have a rotation of meetings with myself and every grade representative. This would mean that in these meetings, each class would have their representatives present their wishes to me so that I could help make a plan that would address any needs they have. I want to make this change because I think it would help the underclassmen use their voices in a smaller, more controlled setting compared to the larger StuCo meetings, and eventually they will gain the confidence to speak out more frequently in meetings. What I really want to see in StuCo is not only having upperclassmen grow into leadership roles within StuCo but helping underclassmen develop their leadership skills and creating an environment of growth so the longevity of effective leaders continues into the future. This principle also applies to the Upper Division in general. There needs to be a greater push for activities that highlight different skills and talents that everyone can participate in. As President, I would plan activities throughout the year that aim to foster new relationships and interests within the student body that enhances a student’s experience. 

Audrey Haynes: One example of a change I plan to make is to create a “buddy system” for the incoming freshmen to ease their transition into highschool, similar to the third grade buddies in the Lower Division for the first graders. 

John Hughes: I was very ecstatic whenever we had the relaxed dress days during the ice storm this year. I believe that spirit days should be that dress code, which would include Casady athletic bottoms and Casady athletic tops, and I believe that that's a feasible thing to accomplish. I plan to talk to Mr. Addington, the new UD director, Mr. Crossno, and Mrs. Russell to coordinate that. Many people have come to me with problems about lunch and chapel, and while I can’t do anything quickly, I want them to know that they’re heard, and they are the real reason why I serve on the Student Council. My grade, of course, is first and foremost, and then, of course, the other grades come in tandem with that. 

Ayan Zubair: Like I said, the transparency part and getting more say from the student body. Also, I don’t know how feasible it would be, but maybe trying to change Casady’s idea of being old fashioned and not open to change. I don't know how feasible that is with Mr. Crossno and the people that shut everything down. 

Milin Kumar: For starters, I can give you a specific one. During BLUE Week, since we all take the x50 off, for that whole week, we’d flip the x50 and last period, to where we’d have the last period. That way, we don’t have to go back to class. There are certain policies I don’t like that are maybe not as inclusive to everyone, that I would work to fight a little bit more towards. For example, [the policy of banning] cross dressing, which I think is personally really outdated and something that I think should be fought for. 

5) What are you most excited for next year? 

Pari Gulati: Something I am most excited about next year is getting to see the entire student body come together to make our events memorable, especially BLUE Week. It makes me feel that StuCo has done their job right when the upper division acts as one in making our events the best ever. 

Anh Thu Nguyen: I am most excited about the collaboration between new and old StuCo members to create amazing events and increase school spirit. I think from this last year, I have seen an increase in interest in Student Council, especially in what we are doing to plan and execute events like Homecoming and BLUE Week. These two events, in my opinion, were huge successes, and I can see them being even bigger and better next year with the right leadership and direction. Next year’s Student Council is a wonderful blend of all types of students that brings insightful outlooks to events like these and how we can improve our plans. I want to institute a standard of excellence for Upper Division events for the Casady Community to be proud of and look forward to no matter what grade they are in. 

Audrey Haynes: I’m definitely most excited for next year’s Homecoming and BLUE Week, especially because the bar was set so much higher this year. 

John Hughes: Being a senior. Being a senior’s going to be very fun. I'm very excited about it. If I’m elected president, I’m very excited to bring back the Christmas pep rally and the October homecoming week. I’m also excited for next year when we bring back the dunk tank at BLUE Week; that’s one of our plans. I also am excited to let the UD know what we do and why we do it, because we are the liaison between the student body and the administration. I was a proponent of the schedule change this year, and a proponent of the special election this year. I believe that my work has shown that I am a man for the people, and I’m excited for that.

Ayan Zubair: All privileges that seniors get. If I become president, I am excited to have more first hand experience and communication with the administration instead of being HoCo chair this year, doing what we were told to do. 

Milin Kumar: Something I’m really excited for is just seeing where the process takes me and making a big change in our school. Even if I get elected or not, I’m still going to continue working hard and try to make the school a better place. 

6) What is a challenge you foresee for next year? How will you handle it?

Pari Gulati: A challenge I foresee next year is being able to go to the extremes that I want to in order to make things much more memorable, such as writing birthday cards to each student on behalf of StuCo, more relaxed dress (like sweatpants), or even painting senior parking spots. I hope to approach this problem by either scaling down these ideas just a tiny bit to fit the happy mediums or by working every single detail out of these crazy ideas to guarantee it happens. I want to do my very best to reach the highest extremes that StuCo is capable of in order to ensure that the student body gets the year they wish for.  

Anh Thu Nguyen:  The UD is in a period of transition in many ways, so I would face the challenges head-on as they come. For instance, I would not call this a challenge, but adjusting to a new Director of the Upper Division. I have had the pleasure of speaking with and getting to know Mr. Addington, so I feel very confident in his willingness to communicate directly with the student body. Furthermore, I am comfortable with going directly to him to address an issue. Additionally, with Casady moving into the OSSAA, I can see some challenges that have to do with student-athlete experience. These changes in the Casady Community require communication and accommodation that the Student Council can transmit to the administration as problems arise. 

Audrey Haynes: A challenge I foresee for next year is definitely easing tensions during meetings. With so many powerful voices and leaders, it tends to get heated. 

John Hughes: There are always challenges, especially when you’re in the meeting and Mr. Crossno shuts you down. But, we persist, and we do the best we can. A certain challenge is definitely going to be the dress code change for spirit days, but, I believe that I am the most equipped and the most ready to take on the administration in that part of Casady life. 

Ayan Zubair: A challenge that I foresee is, like I was saying, is that Casady’s whole thing is that they’re old fashioned and stuck to their roots. That stops a lot of new stuff that students want to implement. Some of the new reps for the seniors next year… we want to go individually talk to [the administration]. We haven’t really done that much except for that one time we changed the schedule. Instead of just saying, “We should do this” and then when they say, “No”, backing off, tell them “Why we should do this” and “why it's helpful”... bring a solid argument. 

Milin Kumar: Being able to come up with fresh new ideas, unless we’re reusing old ones. Because I know it gets boring for us and the student body, and it’s just a hard concept to do, so that’s always a challenge, I’d say.

7) Do you think you’ll be able to get us sweatpants on Fridays?

Pari Gulati: As stated earlier, sweatpants fit in one of my crazy ideas that may need to be scaled down, but if I were to get elected as president one of the first things I would like to do is find a way to make Fridays more like privilege days that include sweatshirts with bigger logos, and more relaxed bottoms, where as spirit days would be reserved for pep rally days along with days that we need to support our cyclone sports teams, so sweatpants on fridays may be a possibility :)! 

Anh Thu Nguyen: Good question. This subject has been brought up multiple times to Student Council, and it has been debated for quite some time. The problem with sweatpants on Fridays is that, unlike the MD, we do not have a uniform that allows our casual days to match their level. I think the most logical argument would be if the UD adopts a uniform or stricter dress code, it would result in legitimate casual days. However, I believe that it is very plausible that I could get sweatpants on finals weeks and maybe even half days depending on what the occasion is. 

Audrey Haynes: I will do all that I absolutely can as StuCo President to ensure spirit Fridays are back to relaxed dress code. 

John Hughes: Sweatpants on Friday would have to be Casady sweatpants and Casady colors, so gray would be included in that. For my relaxed dress being spirit days plan, I plan to have it where you can where your Casady top with normal collars, any size font, but it has to be Casady or Casady colors, and then you can wear Casady pants, Casady athletic shorts, and Casady colored sweatpants. You just can’t wear tank tops and things like that. I’m excited for next year… I’m excited to talk to the new UD director about that, because I believe that we can really make some meaningful changes. It has been a privilege to serve the Class of 2024 on StuCo these past two years, and I want you to know that I will approach my service next year as President with the same diligence, dedication, and commitment. 

Ayan Zubair: As long as people adhere to the dress code during Spirit Days this year, I think, next year, we might be able to build a solid case for sweatpants next year. 

Milin Kumar: Realistically no, but the optimist in me says yes.