by Ananya Nrusimha
This year’s class of 2018 elections had 27 candidates running for office; the largest number of candidates East has ever seen. These candidates covered East’s walls with posters and campaigned aggressively to sway their classmates to their cause.
Candidates ran for the offices of president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. If elected, they would be mainly responsible for making sure their class’s JDD and Prom are successes. They would need to organize fundraising events for both of these dances throughout their high school careers.
Class officers must be upstanding students who lead their classmates by example. They must lead the class during school events like homecoming and ensure that their class is the most spirited. Class officers would also organize initiatives to give back to the community.
Speeches, which were held in the gym this year, went very smoothly and even finished before the bell rang. Mrs. Mahaney and Mrs. DeSantis urged freshmen to pick the best candidate for the job and avoid turning the elections into a popularity contest. Many candidates spoke about carrying the TORCH, East’s signature acronym that emphasizes Truthfulness, the importance of Others, Respect, Caring, and Honesty. Some candidates talked about their qualifications for class office, from their fiscal responsibility to their dedication to the class of 2018. Andy Pleasants’ speech was delivered in sign language. “While I may not be able to talk, you will find no stronger voice for our class,” said Pleasants, who ran for president. Ann Wang quoted Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” during her speech. She ran for treasurer and promised to “…do my best to support your wants.”
Everyone who ran for office displayed an incredible dedication to the class of 2018 and carried the TORCH during campaign season. All of them—even the ones who weren’t elected—are winners!
