Student council elections for the 2018-19 school year will be open for 48 hours from April 2-3. Voting will be through a google form sent to all student’s school email accounts based on grade level. In order to educate the student body on who they are voting for, nominees answered several questions posted below. The responses were given a 150 word limit and were pasted unedited into this document.

Addison Leavitt

What position are you running for?

Student Body President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

Hi! I’m Addison and I am currently your Junior Class President and captain of the Swim Team. I love to be at the lake and/or beach, online shop, hang out with friends, watch Netflix, and eat Torchy’s chips & queso. I love getting to know people and making them smile. Talking in front of people doesn’t shake me; I’m very loud and outgoing and I love to laugh with my friends. I always try to include people and make sure they’re having a good time. I have five pet chickens and I want a goat more than anything in the world. I might have a slight case of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) because I like to be in the loop and know what’s going on in the world and in people’s lives. I’m a great gal with a great heart and a pretty decent smile I think!

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

Because I am currently Junior class president, I know how the club works and how things are run. I have been in Student Council since my freshman year so I am qualified in experience and knowledge. I am the oldest of four siblings, so I’m a natural-born leader and I like to get things done. I’m not afraid to assign tasks to people so that we can pull off awesome events for the entire school as well as the community. I am very organized and productive and I have a lot of great ideas that I want to implement next year for the entire student body to enjoy. I have other leadership experiences from within my home, church, school clubs, and sports teams, therefore validating me for the job!

Why do you want this position?

I want this position because I know that I will be able to get things done. I want Student Council to be a well-known club within the school and I want people to want to be in it. I know that if I get this position I can implement events and fundraisers put on by Student Council, so people will recognize all of the good we are doing for the school. I want next year to be memorable, not only for seniors but for all students, and I know I can make that happen if I get the position. I want this position because I know I will be able to run organized meetings where things can be assigned to members so that we may sponsor many events for the school and community in the upcoming school year.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

Next year I want Student Council to be extremely productive so that we can put on service events and fun events for the school and community. I have a lot of ideas of my own, but I’m always open to hearing other people’s ideas too. Student Council should have a project or event each month, such as Trunk or Treat, a Color Run, fundraisers, an overnight lock-in, and legacy projects. One main thing I want to do next year is leave a legacy from the graduating class. Some ideas have been new water fountains, a wall mural near the cafeteria, planting flowers in the courtyard, and much more. I know we have a lot of great ideas so next year I want to make it a goal for Student Council to actually get those things done and make it happen!

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I know recently there have been a lot of scary incidents such as school shootings and bombings, and it has become a concern to the students and parents for school safety. Many people don’t actually know what to do if you came face to face with a shooter or suspicious person, or even how to escape the situation. Recently we initiated DEN times where the campus officer could talk to students about these topics. I want to continue this program and make it grow even more next year by advertising it and even letting students choose what topics they would like to discuss with the campus officers such as what to do if you’re in the same room as a gunman. I know Officer Rodriquez wants to enlighten the students on these heavier topics not typically discussed at home so that students will be prepared for whatever may happen.

Kaitlyn Orr

What position are you running for?

Student Body President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I have been in student council since freshman year and this club means so much to me. I am also Vice President of the Locker, a part of 4 honor societies, and on the cedar park girls soccer team. I am a smart, kind, goofy, and passionate person. Some of my core values are for my family, my friends, and all the students at this school.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

As a member of this club since freshman year with leadership experience I think I truly understand the workings of this club, where we need to improve, and what we need to change. I am a very open minded individual and would be able to account for everyone ideas while student body president. I not only work well with others, but I am a great leader with a passionate and optimistic attitude who would make next year student councils best year yet!

Why do you want this position?

Since I have been a part of this club for so long I know the insides and outs of how it works and how much potential it has. I’d love to see student council as a more prevalent part of students lives and interacting with more school activities. I want to be the kind of leader that inspires other members to take initiative, and delegates more than taking control of every project. I want to do this so that more people can be a part of this amazing club and feel as if their making a difference.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

One specific goal I have for next year is to see this club interacting more with the school, other clubs, and even the community. I want people to know what student council is, what we do, and what we stand for.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I think a serious issue facing the students in our school today would have to be the amount of stress we put on ourselves to succeed. Cedar Park students are amazing, smart, and dedicated kids, but sometimes we become over worked and stress ourselves more than we should. I’d love to make a seminar where students can get together and talk about ways they can relieve some of this stress including study habits, prioritizing, and even just allowing students to know they have support.

Katana Backus

What position are you running for?

Student Body President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I have delivered a child. I am politically involved in my community and I am the youngest FWD.Us Immigration ambassador. I enjoy calling congressmen and our state representatives to make my opinions heard. In my free time I volunteer with the non-profit, Miracle League. I’m a Buddy Captain for the Red Sox league, where I help children with disabilities play baseball. Theatre is also something I dedicate myself to. I put in my time designing sets and doing a lot of hot gluing. I have two little brothers and my favorite soda is Vanilla Coke and favorite ice cream is raspberry ice cream (with fruity pebbles mixed in it). My favorite movies are Kill Bill and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and yes, I was named after Katana from Mortal Kombat.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

As I said, I’ve delivered a child at 16 (I mean, I feel like that’s a pretty good qualification). And gosh darnit, I’m dedicated. When I commit to something, I don’t quit. In addition to my leadership in student council throughout high school, I put all I’ve got into theatre, Miracle League, and FWD.Us. I’m the Student Technical Director for the Little Mermaid show, where I recruited my own team of designers. I take initiative to contact congressmen and people who are running against congressmen to ask them hard hitting questions. I’m very committed to becoming to Student Body President.

Why do you want this position?

Because I have worked towards this since freshman year. I was elected to be sophomore Secretary, and this year I was won another election and became Membership Director. I feel like the next step is Student Body President. My Grandfather was Student Body President so why shouldn’t I keep up the tradition?

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year? 

There is a dead space in the courtyard where vending machines use to be, I came up with the idea as a Senior Legacy project for the class of 2019  to put a mural in that space that could be changed periodically by clubs or individual artist at our school. I think our school needs more art, to beautify it. Many schools have murals and I think if we had students make one, it would improve the look and feel of our school.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government? 

Safety is the most important issue facing our school. We can’t properly barricade a classroom door, and there are multiple ways a person can get into our school. And Lockdowns don’t properly train us for how to act when there is a dangerous person on school grounds. Safety Education is most important for safety at our school, educating faculty, educating students. We should have a different plan on how to exit school grounds before hiding in our classroom. We need to have a better overall security plan to prevent people who don’t go here from entering our school before checking in.

Rehm Maham

What position are you running for?

Student Body Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I have been an active member of Student Council for the past three years and have had the pleasure of working with many of the various committees we have, as well as chairing 2 of them in my time on Student Council. I am also a member of our two-time State Champion Marching Band and our Debate Team here at CPHS.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

Mostly due to my long standing dedication to Student Council, my prior experience in leadership positions within student council as well as leadership experience from outside Student Council, like that from Band and Debate. The other reason would be I have seen first hand what effective and ineffective Student Councils look like and I feel qualified to be able to advise our Student Body President on how to make this an effective Student Council term.

Why do you want this position?

The primary reason is to be able to serve Student Council which has built me as a leader and to give back to CPHS which I believe is truly making us all into people who will serve this world well. My goal is to make sure I dedicate myself to serving the school, and will pursue this to the best of my ability.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

My one goal would be to ensure that we are able to provide more opportunities for newer members to lead. We, Student Council, are quick to allow only our most senior members to lead. We must open ourselves up to allow newer members to lead if we want to create a foundation for ever stronger and more effective Student Councils in the years to come.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

We are so quick to associate only with certain groups of people. The biggest thing Student Council could do is to encourage and sponsor events that bring clubs together and to continue to make these events more well known and to encourage greater participation. When we talk with others we will often find we have more in common with them so Student Council just needs to really provide the forum for those discussions.

Hannah Shakir

What position are you running for?

Financial Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am a member of Student Council, Choir, and Photo Club. I enjoy reading books and playing the piano. I love spending time with my family.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I am a member of Student Council, Choir, and Photo Club. I enjoy reading books and playing the piano. I love spending time with my family.

Why do you want this position?

I loved being an officer this year. Being Sophomore Class President had given me experience in being involved with the works of Student Council. I would be excited to continue with a different position that may highlight my abilities and strengths a bit better.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

A goal I have for Student Council is to be more involved with our community. Such as hosting events where the school can come together for a good cause.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

One issue I see is that students are having trouble raising their voices. I would like them to be able to approach Student Council with their ideas in order for us to host events or fundraisers that the Student Body can be informed of.

Anshul Modh

What position are you running for?

Financial Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

As a member of the CPHS Student Council for a number of years, I have been a part of the many STUCO accomplishments, events, and major successes. Being a participant in many of CPHS’s clubs in organizations, I have an accurate idea of the pros and cons of current student life.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

After serving as the Executive Board Policy Director last year, I feel confident in my experience with past dealing and school reforms in order to transfer my skills to a more financial standpoint. My experience from leading the JETS fundraising team will also enable me to make informed financial decisions in order to further STUCO events and policies.

Why do you want this position?

The reason why I am running for Financial Director is that I will be able to apply the skills and bring outside ideas into STUCO that I have developed by managing financials for other clubs and organizations.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

One goal I would like to have for STUCO next year is to do some campus beautification in the form of lobbying to change out older appliances and doing aesthetic changes to our school in order to elevate the environment.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I believe that the most serious issue facing students is the thought of losing den. With district officials meeting to discuss the future of den periods, I believe it is important that students themselves have a voice in this debate. I believe den is imperative to student success here at CPHS and I will advocate for student-led evaluation over the future of den.

Anabella Hill Abeyta

What position are you running for?

Policy Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

This year I am a junior. In school I am involved in Younglife, Track & Field, FCCLA, NPFH, AP Ambassadors, P.A.C.K, along with other amazing clubs and organizations. For me, family and friends are a very important part of my life, along with my faith, they all motivate and continue to inspire me throughout my life. In addition, I love meeting new people and helping others, I believe adventuring and serving is best way to discover the world and thrive within it. A few of my favorite things would have to be God, iced coffee, breakfast tacos, the outdoors, thrift shopping, Texas and the color YELLOW!!

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

As a diversely involved student and an upperclassman, I believe I am qualified for this position for several reasons. This includes my ability to connect and coordinate with multiple clubs/ organizations, knowing a diverse amount of the student body (and always open to meeting more), and having a wide variety of perspectives. Participating throughout the school allows me to learn the different agendas, aspirations, and legacies they want to leave for their clubs and organizations.

Why do you want this position?

As a policy director, I believe I can help improve and innovate the involvement student council has on the school along with the community. In addition, as a member of the executive board I hope to positively represent the student council of Cedar Park High as a welcoming, interactive, responsible, and leading organization.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

A specific goal I have for student council next year is to interact with more clubs and organizations within the school, other student councils in the district, along with the Cedar Park community. As a student government I believe we should interact and serve our school and Cedar Park community, it is important to help lead and build a strong legacy for future student and generations of Cedar Park.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

As young adults, our students are the future of the world. With diverse talents, views, and experiences they all have significant ideas for the future. To be apart of the student government I believe we can be a voice for these students and help make their aspirations for the school, community, and their futures become a reality. Most recently as this month, students both actively and powerfully voiced and represented students of America (mostly) without organizations or involvement from the school, often times they were rebelling against the school. As the student government I believe we can become a voice and representation for the student body and help communicate with the school along with the community.

Pujita Shukla

What position are you running for?

Membership Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I’m very spread out in the things I do. I play varsity basketball and have been since freshman year. I love Spanish and speak Hindi as well, and I’m super proud of my heritage. I’ve been in STUCO since sophomore year and hope to continue doing it as your Membership Director!

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I have lots of experience and am focused. But most importantly I want STUCO to cater to the school’s needs and promise to listen to what needs to be done. I also have seen previous membership directors work and have taken lots of valuable information from them.

Why do you want this position?

I want to make an impact in STUCO as well as the school. After being in STUCO for two years, I’ve understood the process and want to speed up the changes. I also believe that I’m the best option for such a position which requires a lot of time and effort.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year? 

I want to create a set of by laws involving membership that is agreeable to the 2018-2019 year as well as future years. I also want to head at least one volunteer program of my own that involves other clubs.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

Inbar Turjeman

What position are you running for?

Communications Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I moved to Austin from Israel when I was in the 6th grade because my dad had to relocate for his job and went to Running Brushy Middle School until 8th grade, when I moved to CPMS. I had to make new friends, but it suddenly was not as much of a struggle as it was in the beginning because the cedar park community os so much more welcoming than other places. I joined band and have been part of that program for 5 years now. I am also part of Mu Alpha Theta, Photo club, and STUCO. I own an Instagram, Snapchat, and Pintrest accounts and I am very excited to run for this position.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I feel qualified for this position because like everyone else in this school, I use social media and know my way around it. My dad also works in computers and he taught me an abundant amount of useful things I cannot wait to share with people through this position so I can help make student council and this school more interactive and connected than it already is. I also have leadership experience being a leader on the board for my youth group and being taught discipline from band and former experiences. Lastly, I go to 98% of STUCO meetings, so I know the events coming up and the things in process right now. That way I can make sure you get all the deets and things that will help you be the most connected person in this school and community.

Why do you want this position?

Communication is the number one skill a group needs in order to be successful, and I believe I can help the student body achieve it, if I am elected. It is so important to keep in touch and know of upcoming events so we could all get to know each other better, help each other’s diverse groups around the school, and of course, get them on our college applications. I believe I could develop this skill to its ultimate potential and make the school a better place because of it.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

One goal I have for STUCO next year is to make it more accessible and available for the rest of the school. Everyone is busy, and so they might not have time to be a part of STUCO, but still have a good idea & want to make a difference in their community. I am going to achieve that goal by setting up pockets with pitching forms around the school, so that students could fill one up if they are suddenly struck with an inspiring Idea to make an impact on our community. I believe that this way we could better represent the voices of the people. Also, I will set up a STUCO Instagram account, where everyone could follow and other groups could request to post for their future events too, and so more students will be aware of upcoming events around the school. This guarantees a better future.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

The most serious Issue facing students today is the fear that is spreading about gun control and the bombings that have been happening recently. I am going to attempt to address this issue by working with my peers to try and plan educational dens, and involving officer Rodriguez more with this subject in this school. By educating more people, they could learn more about these kind of situations and how to deal with them. Awareness is key in those types of situations and I plan to take it further with the student government. I hope this will also contribute to lower the level of anxiety and stress for some people in this school.

Chloe Heitmeier

What position are you running for?

Communications Director

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am a junior, I have three sisters, and one brother and I am very involved in school activities. I am in track, ASL club, art club, student council, FCCLA, photo club, NEHS, NHS, Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society. I like to keep myself busy, so outside of school I also participate in martial arts and physics play the violin. I am extremely invested in academics and improving the school as much as I can before I leave. When I am older I would like to have a PHD in genetics and be working as a genetic engineer. I aspire to go to Stanford or University of Washington for my undergraduate.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I have always been described as a leader even as a kid. I am patient and have good problem solving skills, and I am willing to work hard for what I want. I also have experience having a position in a club since I am currently the Vice President of National Science Honor Society. Being Vice President on SNHS has given me valuable experience in communication from leaders to members and how to keep a club on track and working.

Why do you want this position?

I have been a member of student council for two years now, learning about the workings of the club and the things the members want, and I would like to be a part of the people who guide student council towards success and I believe I have lots of insight into the club that qualifies me to have a leadership position.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

I would like to update the website and make the information coming from social media outlets as clear and informative as possible. I want to make sure that all members know about what student council is doing and things they can participate in.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I believe that a club cannot run without communication between all parts, and I would like to make sure that we have the best communication possible which would allow the club to execute tasks as efficiently as possible along with keeping the members up to date on all the actions of the council. One student councils main concerns is making sure we have a good membership policy and keeping up with attendance, in my position I would work with the Membership Director to fix this.

Hannah Stein

What position are you running for?

Senior Class President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I have lived in Cedar Park my whole life and have loved getting involved in the community. I regularly volunteer at Texas Humane Heroes and other organizations such as Bags of Grace. I love serving others and knowing that I am making a difference in the world. I strive to live a life of service and character and regard others in a way that I would want to be regarded. Through my years at Cedar Park thus far, I have met so many amazing individuals, challenged myself academically, and have had a positive influence to those around me.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

As an active student at Cedar Park, I have been in many leadership positions such as being the President of Timberwolves for the Environment, the Fundraising Chair of Rho Kappa Social Studies National Honor Society, and Historian of both Psychology Club and Latin Club. Being both a member and a leader in many honor societies and organizations has equipped me with the necessary prowess to be a confidence and passionate leader.

Why do you want this position?

Because I have had many opportunities to participate in school clubs and organizations, I have learned valuable skills that have shaped me to become a confident leader. I would like to translate these leadership skills to a school wide level and have a larger impact in the school. I want to be able to serve the students of Cedar Park and give them a voice to make a change.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

I want to make sure that students have some sort of input in decisions that will not only affect the events at school, but also in students’ daily lives. For example, I know that there have been some rumors that LISD might get rid of DEN next year. I think that for such an important decision, there should be a student council member present at some LISD meetings so that the perspective of the students can be voiced and represented.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I believe that the most serious issue facing students today is that many feel underrepresented or voiceless in their opinions, because they are not given a chance nor a safe place to express their thoughts and feelings. As Senior Class President, I would like to bridge the gap between student and the student government to facilitate the flow of ideas, issues, and inspiration. My mission would be to encourage the student body to congregate as one, so that everybody can have the opportunity to share any concerns or suggestions to those in student government and steps can be made to change our school for the better.

Callie Copeland

What position are you running for?

Senior Class Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am involved in many school organizations and extracurricular activities. I love to explore new hobbies like Irish dance, baking, and ping pong. I have 2 dogs named Ollie and Lucky who are the loves of my life!

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I have been in Student Council for my entire high school career and participated in multiple STUCO activities such as Trunk or Treat, and I am actively involved in school activities and organizations.

Why do you want this position?

I want to help make the class of 2019’s senior year the best year of their high school experience yet! I want us to leave a lasting impression for future classes at our school and want to prepare us for the future.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

Recruit and include more seniors in STUCO activities so that we can leave a legacy at CPHS.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

Student’s, especially seniors, are very stressed about college and their future careers due to the pressure they face in high school. I will team up with counselors, mental health professionals, and other outside resources to guarantee students feel prepared as they continue their careers past high school.

Kasey Korbakes

What position are you running for?

Senior Class Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am a current junior and upcoming senior. I have been apart of sports medicine for the past two years, and although I am not planning on staying in it next year I do appreciate what I got out of it. Sports medicine allowed me to get to know people that I possibly would have never gotten the chance to meet. The program also challenged me and pushed out of comfort zone which was good. I liked how it kept me busy, and allowed me to get my mind off of things, which is something that I need in my life. I would love to be a part of student council because I know that it would allow me to meet new people and to stay busy and productive.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I believe that I could make a good class vice president because I have a well rounded , unbiased understanding of the people in my class. I believe that I can provide an accurate voice for what the majority of my class wants when topics are in debate. I also know that a leadership position should be taken on with great consideration for the responsibility that will be necessary in taking on such a role. Most importantly I think that the senior class vice president should be open minded and kind to everyone’s ideas and voices, however they should present just enough confidence within themselves, as to not get walked over. I believe that I can find a good balance between being kind and accepting but also staying true to what I personally believe. I think that all of these attributes qualify me to be a deserving vice president.

Why do you want this position?

I want this position because I believe that it will be an amazing opportunity to allow me to meet new people that are involved in student council, as well as people that aren’t involved. I thoroughly enjoy getting to meet new people and learning about who they are and why they are the way they are. Senior year should be full fun, eventful , and meaningful. I believe that this position will allow me to stay involved and further develop my relationships with my peers.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

One specific goal that I have for student council is making it more well known than it already is, and getting more people involved. I personally have always heard little about student council because I have had friends that were in it, but other than that I had never been informed as to what it truly was until before I decided to run myself. I think student council is a cool way for students to make real decisions and changes with the help from one another. I’m sure that if we advertised it more and made sure students understood the entirety of it, more students would be interested and inclined to join.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I think that one of the most prominent issues that students face today are the feelings of overwhelming stress and isolation. Students are often surrounded by a group of their friends/ peers, yet still manage to feel alone. They let all of their assignments and stress build and build until eventually it is too much to face. I believe that a solution to this problem is to form groups where you can take on these assignments together. This will allow students to simply understand that they are not alone in there stress, while also allowing them a solution to get these tasks done.

Iriyana Lipkin

What position are you running for?

Junior Class President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am currently the Sophomore Vice President, planning to take it a step higher. I am a dancer, and have been dancing for 13 years. I love, love, love this high school, and am super involved throughout the school including CPHS News, and other clubs around the school.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I’m qualified for this position because I have had almost two years of office-related positions, I am super involved with the school, and I simply want to. Because I am so passionate about this club and the things we can achieve, the personal drive I have makes me more than qualified.

Why do you want this position?

I want this position because the position because it has the potential to have a lot of impact on my class. My pride for this school is great and I want to represent the class of 2020 as best as I can; I really feel as if I can do an excellent job.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

My main goal by the time I am a senior, is having off-campus lunch privileges. This is something to work towards this upcoming year. Overall, this next year, whatever problems arise I plan to fix them to the best of my ability and make sure each event we plan is a great one and every game is just as exciting.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

Kids at this school are getting more and more involved with what’s going on nationally and are becoming more and more economically and politically aware. I love that, and I want there to be more outlets for students who want to achieve something. More clubs, DEN seminars, stuff that gives students an outlet to learn and express about real world situations

Carlie Dill

What position are you running for?

Junior Class Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

Hello! My name is Carlie and I am so excited to announce I will be running for Junior Class Vice President. I am currently a Varsity Cheerleader along with being a baseball manager and an active member of student council. Along with my extra circulars I currently have a job outside of school. Overall I feel I am very involved and love representing the school and my community.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I have always been strong in leading people and hearing everyone’s opinion. I feel that I would be a good person to hear the class and be the voice for the people.

Why do you want this position?

I want to continue my work in this organization along with being able to have a stronger voice.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

I hope the organization as a whole makes it way around the whole school and makes everyone feel as if their voice is being heard.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

I feel students safety is a strong issue. I believe student council can take a huge position in that next year after all the tragedies this year. Students should always feel safe in their school environment and always feel as though they can talk to people.

Kate Schulle

What position are you running for?

Sophomore Class President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am a devoted and hard worker who loves to give back to the community. In my free time, I love to golf, and I enjoy volunteering at the U.S Kids Golf Tour and seeing young children enjoy the same sport as I do. Also, I love speaking and debate, and a large majority of my time is spent outside of school further pursuing a passion of mine, Cedar Park’s mock Government club, Texas Youth and Government. One last important thing you should know about me is I love to work alongside others, and I continuously do that while planning meetings for my Girl Scout troop, and hope to transfer over this cohesive planning if elected as Sophomore Class President.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

Whether it is a small group research project, or running for a larger position such as Class President, I love to lead. Recently I attended State Conference for Texas Youth and Government, and was nominated by my fellow mock Congressmen as Distinguished Delegate, as well as I was one of eight people in the Legislative branch to have their Bill passed. Both of these take leadership and the ability to stand out in a crowd, and this is why I feel qualified for the position of Sophomore Class President. In addition, I have previously campaigned for 16-17 Captain of the CPMS Cheerleading Squad and was elected by my peers to lead the group. Hopefully, though these three examples, it is proven that I am a qualified candidate for Sophomore Class President.

Why do you want this position?

I have never wanted to become Class President for selfish desires. I don’t want this position for a title, nor do I want this solely for my College application, but more so to make change in Cedar Park. If elected, I will have a platform to voice my concerns, and to be able to reach out to others and hear their needs for Cedar Park. This is one of my highest goals as Class President, and with the votes of the Student Body, I can make change happen. Not only this, but I want to take the parts that people love about Cedar Park and make them better. If you read this and see me in the halls or at lunch, please stop me and give your input as to how I can improve CPHS. Your voice matters, and you are what molds the future of Cedar Park.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

A specific goal that I have for Student Council is to expand the number of members that we have. By doing this, we can reach out to a larger portion of students, ultimately having a larger census of what the student’s want. Speaking to peers, one of the largest complaints I have heard about Student Council is the lack of communication between the Council and the students, and that lack of communication has caused them to be unaware that the Council even exists. To solve this, I would like to have recruitment parties and after school interest meetings to gain the attention of students who want to join. Many look over the importance of this, but the more involvement Student Council has with the CPHS Community the better.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

One of the largest issues that students have today is the lack of enjoyment and curiosity for learning and overall attending school. In order to combat this issue, I plan on having the Student Council work alongside with teachers on how we can improve the environment that students learn in. For example, it has been proven that sitting in a classroom and not actively participating in lessons decreases the amount of knowledge you retain. What I intend on doing is creating a feedback center for students that gives ideas as to how we can make the learning environment better. By doing this, we can create a connection between teachers and students that gives insight into both sides of the school, students and faculty.

Emma Vorndran

What position are you running for?

Sophomore Class President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am currently a JV cheer co-captain as well as on the school track team. Throughout my freshman year, I have joined Student Council, become a member of Mu Alpha Theta, and have maintained grades which have led me to receive number one in my class. With a busy schedule, I make sure to spend time with friends, contribute to my out of school cheer team, and spend time with my family.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

Although I am only a freshman, my involvement in the school qualifies me to represent ALL students equally. Co-captaining my cheer team as well as tutoring before and after school has allowed me to better my communication skills and my ability to be patient and understanding with others.

Why do you want this position?

The position offers the potential for sophomores, underclassmen, to be represented fairly. I want this position in order to use my ideas and opinions to benefit my class, and I would incorporate other students’ ideas to improve student involvement.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

My goal is to offer representation for my class by encouraging more schoolwide events, pushing to make every game more exciting than the last, and taking time to make decisions that will benefit all students in my class. Throughout the next year, I hope to increase the number of events Student Council puts on as well as increase the number of members in order to allow for more ideas and opinions.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

The safety of all students mentally and physically is a problem I believe needs to be advocated for more efficiently. Students should feel welcome to voice their opinions and feel free to come to Student Council with any concerns or problems they feel need to be resolved. By placing better procedures in the case of emergencies, we can provide safety for all students.

Jordan Allen

What position are you running for?

Sophomore Class Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I am involved in CPHS in many ways. I am in PACK, FCA, and PTSA. I am also a student trainer, so I get to work with many athletes. I try to always be a joyful person, and make many friends in a variety of different groups. I like to accomplish tasks. My teachers describe me as optimistic because I will always shoot for the best outcome.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

Due to my wide involvement at CPHS, I have the opportunity to hear many people’s concerns about the school. I am a natural leader, and I tend to take control of situations. I can remain calm in stressful situations. I am extremely involved with student council and go to every meeting and event I can make. I am very responsible, and follow through on ideas and activities. I feel like I am the most qualified for this position because of the leadership skills I have gained this year.

Why do you want this position?

I have always wanted a leadership position in the school because I want to benefit the school as much as possible. I want to make the school the best place for any student or faculty member. I want to help aid people in bringing their ideas to a reality.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

I want to get more students involved. I know so many students that want to be in student council, but don’t know how to. I want to help inform the whole student body. With more students involved, we can complete more and bigger tasks that will benefit the school. I’d like to have a week early in the year when we can tell people what we’re all about and recruit people to join and share their ideas. This could look like a fun school-wide den event in the courtyard or a fun themed spirit week!

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

The most serious issue students are facing today is that we don’t want to come to school. School used to be a place kids were excited to go to. Now, we don’t even want to hear the word “school.” I want to make school a happy and safe place kids will love to go to. I can do this by providing more game-like activities to do throughout the year. I can also help teachers improve their relationship with their students, which I think I already promote with my own good relationships with my teachers. Another more concrete way I plan to implement this is with a teacher-appreciation day put on by our own students.

Claire O’Keefe

What position are you running for?

Sophomore Class Vice President

Tell us a little about yourself/background.

I moved to Cedar Park, Texas, in 2016, from Bozeman, Montana, where I spent the majority of my childhood. I love everything outdoors: camping, skiing, hiking, etc. I’ve always been in sports, playing just about any sport you could think of, with competitive soccer being the sport I have played most of my life. School has always been my first priority, studying hard to make good grades and being involved in extracurricular activities. In my freetime, I enjoy spending time with my friends, and just relaxing.

Why do you feel you are qualified for this position?

I believe I am qualified for student council sophomore vice president because growing up, I’ve always been motivated to make a difference and lead others. Being involved in student council during middle school and volunteering in my free time, I’ve discovered my desire to help others and exert effort towards the greater good. I work hard in all aspects of school, with motivation instead of procrastination. As a high school student, I’ve experienced the pressure of school, friends, extracurriculars, and balancing all that life throws at you. From this I’ve learned to prioritize things in my life to strive for success.

Why do you want this position?

I want to be the sophomore student council vice president because I would be able to make the most out of the position. As vice president I would be engaged in decisions and discussions, putting the well being of the student body as a whole first. I will make sure decisions made are all inclusive, reflecting all voices. I want to obtain this position because I want to encourage a positive change throughout Cedar Park High School.

What is one specific goal you have for student council for next year?

One specific goal I have for student council next year is to seek out more student opinions on issues the student council deals with. By providing more ways for students to share their input and comments, we can open up the communication barrier more, and hear students’ views. With our new insight of others’ ideas, we can make more all inclusive decisions that benefit everyone. This would help the student body by giving their voice a larger platform to share what they think on our ideas.

What do you see as the most serious issue facing students today and how would you attempt to address that issue as part of student government?

The most serious issue I see facing the Cedar Park High School students, is the stress us students are put through on a daily. I believe student council should provide more outlets to effectively be able to talk about, and deal with the pressure of school, friends, and things outside of school by promoting resources to students to deal with these issues in a healthy way.