Six Preps Vie To Represent Class of 2020
Six members of the class of 2020 have successfully advanced to the next round of student council representative elections for the position of prep class representative, or “prep rep.” Ayush Noori, Benjamin Cai, Mai Hoang, Billy Menken, William Park and Samuel Lew have all fulfilled the requirements to officially run to be a prep rep. Members of the prep class will vote for three representatives on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The candidates have until then to campaign.
Those who were officially designated as candidates for prep rep are enthusiastic upon their appointment.
Lew was excited to potentially represent his class and to give them a smooth tenure at the Academy. “I hope to be the voice for our class of 2020. I know that all the preps have different issues that the preps face, so I want to be the one to address these issues and fix [them],” he said.
The prep rep nomination process hit some roadblocks before a sufficient number of the class of 2020 passed the candidacy requirements. The original deadline for candidacy was Oct. 11, but only one candidate, Ayush Noori, fulfilled the requirements at that date. Several other students failed to gather enough signatures and/or failed to submit a statement. To be eligible to run, potential candidates for prep rep had to collect signatures from 93 members of the class of 2020 and submit a candidacy statement to the Student Council elections committee. Members of the class of 2020 were then given another week to meet the standards of eligibility. Noori was allowed to begin campaigning a week before the other candidates as a reward. Typically, candidates are only allowed to begin campaigning when all students in the running are verified as candidates. In addition, the signing sheets for certain students were confiscated during an assembly, a practice that is not allowed.
“I personally had a great time being prep rep. It’s a great chance to get to know all your fellow classmates, try your hand at organizing events and get to know how StuCo works.”
All prep rep candidates may now begin campaigning. They have one week to garner support through posters, social media or whatever other medium they choose, so long as they stay within a budget of $20.16.
The number of candidates for prep rep is much lower than it has been in previous years. Typically, anywhere from 15 to 20 candidates run for the position. Elections committee co-head and senior Kelly Lew attributes this shift and the inability of the class of 2020 to raise enough eligible candidates in the typical week-long period to a decline in popularity of the prep rep position. She felt that not enough members of the class took the role seriously, and thus didn’t attempt to fulfill the eligibility requirements. “Apparently, preps didn’t feel inclined to run, because they view the position as lame and ‘not cool,’” she said.
Prep Benjamin Wright noticed a similar trend among his class. “I feel like not that many people express interest in the prep reps,” he said.
In general, members of the class seemed to have little regard for the position and many did not think to run. “To be honest, I gave no thought into whoever’s paper I sign because I think it’ll probably be inconsequential anyways,” prep Jack Liu said.
Lew was upset by the idea that the position of prep rep was not worth pursuing. “I am very frustrated with the preps and their lack of motivation,” Lew said.
Some members of the prep class seemed to be unaware of what the position entails. “I honestly have no expectations in our prep reps. I don’t know what prep reps are supposed to do,” prep Andrew Sun said.
Prep Matthew Wabunoha agreed. “I don’t know what the purposes of prep reps are,” he said.
On the other hand, upper Pradyumn Dayal, who served as the representative for his prep class, felt that there was value in serving as a prep rep and that they are able to help members of their class. “I personally had a great time being prep rep. It’s a great chance to get to know all your fellow classmates, try your hand at organizing events and get to know how StuCo works,” he said.
Upper Jackson Parell, secretary of the Student Council, made clear that the position of prep rep was important to Student Council and to the prep class. “They are supposed to represent the voice of the prep class. Without them we do not have a full representative council,” he said. He further emphasized the important role prep reps play in uniting their class in their first year at the Academy. “They also plan events for the prep class which are essential in bringing the class together,” he said.