Update: Here are the winners of the class of 2021 election
President: Naina Chauhan
Vice President: Kiran Kadiyala
Treasurer: Pragnya Govinda
Secretary: Grace Jiang
Sergeant at Arms: Will Vest
Historians: Grace Kim & Areej Memon
Principal’s Council Representative: Zachary Gallus
With class elections coming up Sept. 29, candidates have been making their last rounds getting the word out to vote. To help readers learn more about the people running, The Torch has interviewed each candidate and compiled a list of profiles on each. Below are the candidates of the class of 2021.
Candidates for President
Noelle Bencie: “Dont take the L, vote for Noelle.”
Why are you running?
“In the past I have noticed that many of the representatives that are elected into office are because of popularity or as a joke. I’m running for president because I actually want to get things done for the grade, and I want to make sure that all the events that we have are done to the best of their ability.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“We need to raise $40,000, and if that is not started strongly with the freshman class, it will be a struggle throughout the rest of high school. We also need the money for Cobalt, because Cobalt is a huge part of the high school experience at Pine View, considering we don’t have a homecoming, so is our only formal dance.”
Naina Chauhan
Why are you running?
“I’ve wanted to run for president for a while. I think it’s a really great position. I started student council in seventh grade, and i had a lot of fun with it, so I ran for president in eighth grade, which was even more fun, because I got to plan events. I was also vice-president of the builders club, which was also really fun. I liked having a higher position, and being able to organize things and work with people… and I’ve been going to Pine View since second grade, so it’s like everyone is my family, and it would be an honor to be their president.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to bring our grade together, because most of us are going to be be together for the next four years, so we should become close, because we’re never going to do anything fun or special if we’re all just in our own friend groups… My goal this year is for our class to leave a legacy at Pine View, but have fun doing it.”
Danny McDonald: “Plan A: Vote Danny for President.There is no Plan B.”
Why are you running?
“I think I can help make Pine View a better place if I become president.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I will be sure to work towards and even exceeding the goal for money to raise and things to accomplish.”
Lucian Bathgate: “Lucian is the Solution.”
Why are you running?
“I’ve always wanted to be president since I knew it was a thing.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to have us start effective fundraising and bring more school spirit to freshman class.”
Candidates for Vice President
Kiran Kadiyala: “Change. Acceptance. Reliability.”
Why are you running?
“I want to help the class of 2021 in any way I can.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I hope that we can work together to set a foundation and a new start for our class.”
Meera Nair: “Meera Nair has the flair.”
Why are you running?
“I want to serve my class and raise money for better school supplies and technology at school.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want us to have more volunteer opportunities like tutoring and peer mentoring. It would also be cool to have an end of the year trip and more fundraising opportunities available.”
Candidates for Treasurer
Vascant Patel: “Vascant is my name and business is my game.”
Why are you running?
“I am good with money and I know how to properly deal with it. I am responsible and will know how to keep track of our money to make sure we have enough for graduation.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to be a good treasurer, make sure everyone stays on task so we can reach our goal, and make sure we make the proper amount of money from fundraisers and other events.”
Pr
agnya Govindu: “Make every penny count.”
Why are you running?
“I am running so that I can help share ideas to help our class for fundraising for our events.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I hope to raise the amount of money we need for later in high school.”
Candidates for Secretary
Kaki France
Why are you running?
“I want to help be more involved in our class.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to help make money for our class.”
Grace Jiang: “If you want a secretary that is the best, vote for Grace to sort out the mess.”
Why are you running?
“I’ve always been interested in student government, and think I can make a positive impact as well.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to help us form a more organized school.”
Candidates for Historian
Grace Kim & Areej Memon: “Cut to the chase and vote Areej and Grace.“
Why are you running?
“We want to be part of class office and want to help better our class. We want to help fund graduation. We are also very passionate about our class and would enjoy helping the class out.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“We want to take great pictures and do the best that we can do in making our class succeed.”
Drew Stoneburner: “Recording your past for a brighter future.”
Why are you running?
“If I got to be more connected with the school, I would be able help improve things and make changes.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“If I win, I’ll try to make new connections, do my duty, and try to make Pine View a good place.”
Candidates for Sergeant at Arms
Odelia Tiutyama: “If you vote for Odelia Titut, your year will be a hoot.”
Why are you running?
“I hope to raise the amount of money we need for later in high school.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“If I win, I want to make sure we have enough money for our class’s Cobalt and graduation.”
Will Vest: “Vest is the Best.”
Why are you running?
“I’m running so we can have a great high school experience.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“If I win, I want to help keep the class meetings in order, keep people focused, and also raise money.”
Candidates for Principal’s Council Representative
Zachary Gallus
Why are you running?
“I want to make a difference and effectively convey what our student body wants.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you win?
“I want to make a difference. I want to raise money for our class. I want to work with the other officers to make a change.”
Interviews conducted by ninth-graders MADI HOLMES, JOSH GULYANSKY, KASUMI WADE, ANNA LABINER, BEN GORDON, LEO GORDON, and BRIANNA NELSON