Recently, the YPA (Youth Policy Assembly), interviewed some of our potential candidates for STUCO (Student Council). Among these were three men, Aryan, Yuvan and Rejul, all of whom were running for different positions – 11th Grade Representative, President and Vice, respectively. In this interview, these three spoke on the key ideals surrounding their candidacy as well as what they thought about the current state of the election and our school.
Starting off, Aryan is specifically running for 11th Grade Representative as he feels like the roles of President and Vice don’t get close enough to what the people themselves actually want. He has experience having founded the Study Alliance Club, and is proficient in gathering volunteers and administrators together to form a common front. When asked how he planned to represent the interest of the 11th grade to administrators, he mainly highlighted efficiency and communication, hoping to be able to solve problems fast, actually get feedback from the community, and possibly even solve issues yet to be addressed. One of these “Yet to matter” issues would be a kind of fusion between a testing-calendar and no burn-day rework – a homework calendar. This would balance the amount of homework a student had each night, giving them the time and space needed for them not only to do well academically, but mentally. When asked how he would ensure people were informed and communicated with on things, Aryan shot back with yet another unconventional and less thought about idea. In his eyes, all the information students receive now is too decentralized – it can come from ParentSquare, AP Classroom, personal emails, etc. – it’s all too much to manage. So, using Spork’s built in messaging and newsletter system, both assignments and updates could be delivered to the students without fear of missing out on anything. In addition, other key features of Spork, like its calendar, could further heighten the school’s ability to effectively communicate with their student body and further lower the chance of missed news or homework. Finally, when asked about the logistics of the upcoming senior trip, Aryan firmly held that the funding was the biggest issue currently being faced. Gathering money for any endeavor, even the ATF, has always been an issue at BASIS, but it is Aryan’s hope that this could change in due time, as his efforts towards additional fundraising inside and outside of the school might just be able to turn the tide. Aryan is sure of just what he wants to do, and with his close ties among the administrators and volunteer communities, he may just be able to do it.
The next big name on the docket is Yuvan Senthil, who is running for President as he feels that certain issues have gone on for far too long, and must be addressed with immediate action. Like the majority of people voting in this upcoming election season, Yuvan has been a student here for many years, and feels that he has a good grasp of the current state of the school, especially seeing how well he is able to fraternize and truly connect with his fellow students. He’s helped resolve issues left and right even without holding a presidential role, and built the fledgling Red Cross Club from infancy to the bastion of volunteering it is today. When asked how he would ease the burden on students, his main focus was in better defining and streamlining the communication from teacher-to-student (and vice versa). He would do so in a similar way to Aryan, focusing less on the testing and exam-full side of things, and more on the daily side, making sure homework and other take-home assignments were balanced evenly each night. Yuvan’s main competitor in this race so far has been one miss Avni Chidella, who herself has a strong resolve and plenty of good policies, but, as Yuvan puts it, lacks the “Individual” needed to fill a presidential role. According to him, anyone can have any policies, and make just about any promise they want to. However, it takes a certain kind of individual – one with a passion, a dream, and a hope – to fill this position, and Yuvan has all that and more. And while Avni is by no means sorely lacking in any one of these attributes, when it comes down to brass tacks, Yuvan is someone who can be looked up to for more than just his policies. When further questioned about his presidency, Yuvan mentioned the tough position he’d be taking on as the number one connection between the administrators and the student body. He emphasized the idea that concepts and pitches must be constantly tossed back and forth, brainstormed and reworked, if they are to stick. As President, Yuvan would make sure not only to hear the people, but to actually listen. While this race may be close, the best answer is clear.
Last on the chopping block is Rejul, running for Vice President as he feels that the school clearly needs serious change, and that with the connections he has everywhere – with administrators, honors societies, clubs, etc. – he may just be able to do it. As Vice President, one of his most major roles would be keeping the President on track, and making sure the school stays on a steady track towards progress. He mentions that the manner in which he would do this would be firm and resolute – knowing both Yuvan and Avni personally, he could make sure that either one, if and when elected President, would not stray from their promises, and would continue to stay in line. He believes not necessarily in being “harsh” or “strict” but decisive, in that his efforts to push his policies and further the welfare of the school would be never-ending. He also mentions that, like many other candidates, communication would be a hallmark of his campaign. He would most like to establish a firm line of communication between one of the more overlooked groups of the school, that being the middle school. Partially utilizing the connections gained from having a brother in middle school, he’d hope to be able to have middle school teachers be less closeted with their information and much more open with their students, able to actually interact with, not just talk at the middle schoolers. Additionally, he believes a lot of what is done in the highschool will trickle down to help the middle schoolers, ultimately meaning any policy passed is a policy that helps everyone. Mirroring Avni and Yuvan, Rejul’s biggest adversary in this race is Rehan, who is best known for his flashily branded campaign, even going so far as to sell merchandise like lip-balms and face masks. However, once again, it is not just the ideals and tenets of the campaign which get one elected, but the actual individual themselves. Rehan believes he will beat Rehan in this race because he has the heart of the people – he knows what they actually want and will stop at nothing to get it for them, All this grandiose and flamboyant showmanship may get Rehan a little farther up the road, but in the end, Rejul will come in first every time. To top off his campaign, he makes sure to mention his strong emphasis on how he will handle this great burden, noting that he will not be afraid to ask for help when he is in need, but will do his best to make sure that never happens. Rejul may be kicked down over and over again, but with the heart of the people in mind, he always gets up, prevailing for the welfare of all.
When the dust finally settles, this will have been an amazing election season. Although it feels like it was sprung on us without much warning, to see this much aspiration and passion among the students is enough to spark hope for our generation’s future. I personally have gotten so much more out of this season than I thought I ever could, having found it in myself to start a consultation business and eventually build profit off of the whirlwind of candidates needing to petition throughout the school. I guess what I’m trying to say is, while winning an election is great, don’t be afraid to step back and take a more advantageous angle every now and then. Being in the spotlight may not always be the best move. However, on a less ominous note, these three definitely deserve that spotlight, and will have more-than-earned it come their upcoming (probable) placement in office. For once, the future of BASIS Peoria, and for that matter, all other BASIS Schools, is looking bright.
