Chloe Dy

Freshman president and vice president contenders Don Kumar and Lucas Liu advertise their posters to promote their campaigns in the freshman officer election.

As the new school year began, the hallways of Ayala High School were filled with anticipation and excitement surrounding this year’s class of 2027 officer elections. From August 21st to August 25th, the campus was a hive of activity, buzzing with campaign posters, spirited speeches, and the hopeful faces of freshman candidates vying for positions as class officers. In their journey of democracy and camaraderie, the candidates not only demonstrated their dedication to the school but also unveiled their innovative strategies to elevate the student experience.

The class of 2027 officers were revealed to be Kieza Martinez as president, Lucas Liu as vice president, Loretta Zhang as secretary treasurer, and Laila Kumar as social chair.

Among the aspiring candidates, Don Kumar (9) stood out as a fervent contender for the position of freshman class president.

“One thing I’m really big about is school spirit because, over the last couple of years, it’s been on a decline…I want to improve on that and give the students better spirit days. I want to make it more interesting and listen to student voices overall,” he said.

Kumar showed great enthusiasm as he shared his motivations, envisioning a campus where school spirit would flourish. His primary focus was to rejuvenate the waning school spirit by introducing captivating spirit days and amplifying the voices of his peers. In showing his commitment to the election, Kumar strengthened his campaign by sharing a music video on social media which resonated deeply with his fellow students, creating more connections and generating publicity.

“I feel like some of the candidates really went all out on certain things; some people made posters, other people made things and handed them out to people, and there were flyers everywhere… they got really creative with it,” Tarin Ladhawala (9) said.

However, the process of running for these student officer positions is not just about outward appearances. Behind the scenes, candidates grappled with immense pressure and stress. Candidates spoke of sleepless nights spent meticulously creating posters and crafting campaign materials, emphasizing the tenacity required to compete in a campaign of this caliber.

“The first thing was the stress of campaign week. You’re just trying to get as many votes as you can to try and influence everyone… I made bracelets and posters every single night… I feel that in turn creates so much stress that you also have to balance while campaigning,” Liu (9), the newly elected vice president, candidly revealed.

Despite the challenges, Liu was able to turn his experience into an opportunity for personal growth, developing skills in public speaking and resilience that would serve him well in future leadership endeavors.

The commitment and dedication demonstrated by the candidates were met with appreciation from both their peers and the school’s leadership teacher, Mrs. Lenee Ives. Reflecting on the campaign week, Mrs. Ives noted the positive atmosphere generated by the candidates. This supportive environment allowed the students to showcase their leadership potential while maintaining a sense of unity and mutual respect.

“They were well put together. They had a lot of enthusiasm…and they supported each other,” she acknowledged.

This year’s freshman officer elections not only revealed the candidates’ leadership visions but also highlighted the significance of such campaigns within the school culture. Participating in this election instilled valuable life skills in the candidates, from communication and public speaking to time management and creative thinking. Even the experience of facing opponents and adapting to unexpected challenges offered valuable life lessons, echoing the larger dynamics of leadership roles in the real world.

While only a few will be elected into the class officer positions, the journey itself uncovered the potential within every candidate and the collective impact that determined young leaders can make. As Ayala witnessed the enthusiasm, dedication, and spirited campaigns of its freshman candidates, it became clear that the student body was on the cusp of welcoming an era of invigorating and inspiring leadership.