On May 9th, Padua cast their votes on student executive officers for the 2013-2014 school year. The candidates were Shannon Steiner for treasurer; Abby Hidalgo, Rose Gallo, and Maeve Clair for secretary; Meaghan Rybaltowski for vice president; Sarah Granda and Amy Horney for president. Our new class officers for the coming year will be Shannon Steiner, Rose Gallo, Meaghan Rybaltowski, and Amy Horney.

On May 8th, Shannon Steiner started off election speeches. Her speech assured Padua that we were presented with the right candidate for the position, stressing her positive experiences with money management and saving. She explained with a smile how she was given the nickname “Puzzler” in her childhood years, because she was constantly flaunting everything a treasurer needs – mathematical interest and advantage, organization, time management, and thirst for a challenge. She provided examples of experience in the student government field and leadership as well as dedication to this school, having been an officer her sophomore and junior year. Shannon looked all of Padua in the eye and reminded us, “what we do with money matters.”

Abby Hidalgo was introduced next to begin the secretary speeches; she started off strong and getting to the point that she wants to “make a difference not only in this school, but beyond these walls.” Through her speech, she explained to us that she is an organized, punctual, time-managing leader that works well with others and respects the opinions of those around her. She showed that she could handle the tasks left for her as secretary after having been a helpful member of Blue/Gold while maintaining an honor roll status. Despite her demanding course schedule, she was able to do her part in community service. Abby related to each student in the room by promising that she wants to watch her sisters win state championships, achieve academically, aid them in community service, and be present for their curtain calls. She ended her speech on the note that student council would be her first priority.

Rose Gallo took the floor next, sharing that she enjoys attending Padua and therefore wants to help better it. She proved that she can handle a lot of people, noise, etc. at once, having lived in a full house all her life. She assured the voters that she is no stranger to time management and multitasking, having maintained a minimum 4.1 GPA while simultaneously broadening her horizons with new and challenging experiences, like the Padua tennis team. She recognized the characteristics a good secretary needs, which just so happen to be the ones she possesses: organization, efficiency, and hard work.

Maeve Clair was the last candidate for secretary to deliver her speech. Maeve clued Padua in on her being a “nerd,” and seeing that as a good thing in a secretary, because she loves to read, write, and hates disorganization. She proved her dedication to Padua and ability to handle student council activities, as she’s participated in them prior to running for office. She also acknowledged the crucial teamwork involved in being an executive officer, and assured the crowd of her love for her school, though admits she “didn’t always feel this way.” Maeve gave her audience a personal view of her, explaining her brother’s cancer diagnosis and how that caused her to be reserved and upset for a portion of her sophomore year. She also claimed the Padua walls as her home, considering herself growing up here. She provided her thanks to the school, saying, “my Padua sisters were my strength.”

Meaghan Rybaltowski began and concluded the vice president speeches, projecting her voice throughout the cafeteria. She explained that she will be a good vice president because she is neat, organized, and excels at time management. She pointed out that she will take up the responsibility of balancing her schoolwork and student council responsibilities without worry. She spoke fondly of how she opened up at Padua, realizing that everyone possesses a valued opinion and began getting involved with school activities, like leading the freshman retreat and participating in the March for Life lock-in. She speaks for herself and fellow candidates when she says, “the best decision I’ve made in my life so far is choosing to come to Padua.”

Amy Horney started the beginning of the end, launching into labels she wanted to leave behind: that girl that plays soccer; that Horney sister; that awkwardly tall girl; that tall girl that hangs out with that even taller girl. She brushed those aside, saying, “right now, I just want you to know me as Amy.” She expressed the discipline she learned as a child and grew up with, having a father in the marines. Not only did she assure her crowd that she was disciplined, but also efficient, organized, and a leader. Amy mentioned that, having been a team worker for so many years, she knows how to cherish a variety of personalities and opinions and get things done in an orderly fashion. She promised to work not only to collaborate with her fellow officers, but the rest of the student body. Amy also related to voters, saying she “did it all as a child.” Her mother signed her and her siblings up for every possible activity – swimming, piano lessons, sports – so she can relate to the stress, talents, and passion of her peers. She provided that she plans to attend the United States Naval Academy, not only for the boys, but because it produces leaders. Finally, she faced that she cannot make everyone happy, and ended with, “I can’t make everyone ridiculous promises [. . .] I will be the hardest working, most fair president that I can be.”

Sarah Granda concluded the speeches, although she admitted that she didn’t see her speech so much as a speech, but an opportunity to talk to all of Padua at once. She addressed Padua, telling everyone just why she wants to be president: because of Padua, Sarah grew to be a more compassionate, caring, and understanding person. “I want to give back to you, since you all have given so much to me,” she said. She expressed her aspiration to be president dating all the way back to her freshman year, and displayed her qualities that matched that of a good president – being outgoing, easy to talk to, reliable, prepared, and skilled in time management, having been able to juggle a job and school. Sarah thought of her sisters in saying that, “sometimes being a student at Padua is not easy.” She promised to stay on popchat all night with her classmates, listening to their problems. She said even to be willing to give every student her phone number to text or call if they ever need her. She spoke of hope for high school reunions and next year being “the year that we build each other up.” Sarah also told how she wanted to bring the community closer together, even make it a safe haven for the students that don’t have one.