As a new school year has just started, everybody has expectations and hopes of having a fun filled school year. Every year there are elections held for class officer and only 4 candidates are chosen to represent their class. On Tuesday, September 13 the annual Sophomore class elections were held. Sarah Jane Mee, Naja McCain, Clare Mazzeo, Ashley Lupichuk, Shannon McCartney, Moira Neary, Maddie Lennon, Hannah Mannering, and Ally Stuebing were the ten determined girls who ran for this year’s class officer position. The Sophomore class all gathered together in Roberto Hall to listen to each of the candidates’ speeches. Each student gave a speech on why she should be a class officer. In many of the speeches there were promises to make this school year a fun and exciting one for the sophomore class. An audience member, Cecilia Krienen said, “I thought that they were all good candidates and I’m excited for the girls that get elected to make it a good school year.”                                                             

     Running for class officer requires a great deal of confidence and determination. “The most difficult part of presenting my speech was going first; I volunteered because I do know how nerve racking it is to start off speeches, and I didn’t want to bore everyone right in the beginning.” When speaking to some of the candidates, they all said that the most difficult part was speaking in front of the entire class, but they felt relieved, confident, and happy after they were done presenting their speeches. Going first, as Sarah Jane Mee said, was the most difficult part but speaking in front of the entire class but it did not faze her one bit, she said, “I would say I was more excited than nervous. I grew up speaking in church, so public speaking isn’t a big deal to me- it’s fun! I was really excited to get up there and share my ideas and perspective with my lovely classmates.”

    During the speeches, the room was very silent while each student closely listened to each speech. Candidate Ally Stuebing said, “I was super nervous before, but I felt super confident after my speech. Luckily, people laughed at my jokes and I feel I nailed all my points.” A student in the audience, Felicia Terinoni said, “All the girls did a very good job speaking and striving to bring the class together.”            

Being a Sophomore  class officer gives many opportunities for a student to impact the school and have a voice for the “forgotten class,” sophomores. Lennon said, “I have held many leadership roles in the past and really enjoyed it. I love being in touch with everyone, planning events, and working with others to achieve goals.”                                             

  During the last period, the elected candidates were announced and Stuebing said she was very nervous before finding out the results. The sophomore class officers elected for this school year are Madison Lennon, Ashley Lupichuk, Sarah Jane Mee, and Allison Stuebing.  As for the plans of  some of the officers, Lennon said, “As an officer I would definetly go around the school and talk to my fellow classmates to get their input and ideas. I would present these ideas and changes and do my best to put them into action.” Mee said, “I think my organization and people skills will help contribute to planning our year for the sophomore class. I am a very methodical person, so everything we do will be neatly organized and planned out. I also love talking and working with different groups of people, so I think it will be really fun to meet new peers and share our ideas.” Celie Krienen is very excited for spirit week and hopes the new class officers make it exciting this year. Allison Stuebing, an elected officer, said, “As an enthusiastic, creative person, I hope to make a big, positive contribution to not only Student Council, but the sophomore class. I am really looking forward to sophomore spirit day. I think it will definitely be one for the books!” she adds, “I do truly care about Padua and all the people in it. I will do my very best to make this sophomore year a fun and eventful one for all 174 girls in the grade.” Brighid Brennan said that she is hoping the new class officers “make it a fun entertaining school year and make spirit week super fun.” This year is hopefully bound to be a very fun and successful one and each officer is determined to make it a great year for the sophomore class.