ASB 2014-2015 Election Outcomes

, Reporters

President Sasha Houy

Newly elected ASB President and current junior Sasha Houy has been an avid member of ASB since sixth grade. Houy wishes to unify the student body and listen to the needs of everyone at CHS, and not just a selective group of students. Houy is eager to help CHS become more connected as students and friends. He also wants to make sure that everyone’s voice at CHS is heard and hopes to be the voice for all the students at CHS.

“I hope to achieve a more unified pack and make sure that students realize that they really are a vital part of one pack in this rich atmosphere,” Houy said.

Houy is involved in many school activities inside and outside of CHS, and has years of experience in leadership. Houy was Student Council President at Chaparral Elementary during sixth grade, the ASB President at El Roble during eighth grade, Class President of the Freshman class in his freshman year, Vice-President Sophomore year, and currently holds the position of Commissioner of Elections.

“I will work for the student body here with whatever they feel I should work on to improve and I am willing to introduce anything new and I look forward to hearing your input CHS,” Houy said.

Furthermore, Houy is on the Junior Fair Board, which serves the Claremont city through the Claremont Teen Committee, which meets every month to contribute to the community through different public works projects, as well as identify problems to fix within CHS, El Roble, the TAC, and the YAC. With his experience in leadership positions, Houy hopes to bring insight of CHS students to ASB as President.

By Chaska Yamane

Vice President Michaela Christiansen

Michaela Christiansen already has a strong presence on campus, as an energetic junior who describes herself as someone who loves talking and getting to know people. As a photographer for CHS Yearbook, Christiansen has had the unique experience of being able to observe all of the diverse and fascinating activities going on at CHS.

“I love being able to interact with a bunch of different activities, I’ve always been really intrigued by clubs and the diversity around campus,” Christiansen said.

Already familiar with the amazing things clubs on campus are capable of doing due to her Yearbook experience, Christiansen is inspired to “make H15TORY” (her slogan) by helping clubs even further realize their potential, and allow them to extend and have an effect on both life on campus and the rest of our community.

“High school isn’t forever,” Christiansen said. “We have to do the best we can to make memories long lasting, to strengthen friendships, and to leave a mark on campus. Clubs are a wonderful way to do that, and I hope to be able to make it easier for them to extend and have a long lasting effect.”

Christiansen has invaluable enthusiasm and passion surrounding the position of Vice President, and CHS will benefit from her already abundant knowledge about the inner workings of CHS and her desire to help CHS activities and clubs realize their full potential.

By Ruby Elliott-Zuckerman

Secretary Emily Spivack

With her years of experience and passion for ASB, junior Emily Spivack is a knowledgeable candidate to be the ASB Secretary next school year. She has been on ASB all throughout her high school career, shadowing current Secretary Megan Renken and learning about the responsibilities of the position.

The ASB Secretary is in charge of the charity committee which plans dances, blood drives, and other large school events, and has other duties such as taking minutes during business meetings. Spivack has worked every blood drive since her freshman year and has continuously assisted and learned from Renken.

“It is great to be part of a program that is so vital to our school. We do so much for our school and ASB is like a family,” Spivack said.

Aside from her three years of experience, Spivack would fit this position also because of her organization skills. She is a very organized person and has exciting new ideas, which are skills that are necessary to be successful in a position that plans and organizes school events. Spivack is very passionate when it comes to her favorite class, which is ASB.

By Kikesa Kimbwala

Treasurer Gideon Yabaki

Gideon Yabaki, current junior and ASB’s Junior Class Treasurer, was recently elected Executive Council Treasurer for the following year at CHS. The treasurer has to read of checks during business meetings, organize the
student store, assign days for each of the class treasurers to deposit money. Yabaki plans to improve many aspects of student business, one of them being the student store.

“I definitely think I can bring new ideas towards the student store and how it’s run. I can also bring more variety towards the things we sell to attract more people,” Yabaki said.

Yabaki has been involved in a number of activities at CHS, including boys volleyball and chamber singers. This is his first year on ASB, but he feels like he has the experience to be an effective Executive Council Treasurer.
As Junior Class Treasurer, Yabaki is experienced with the role of and the tasks necessary for wearing the title of Executive Council Treasurer.

“I definitely feel that my skills with checks and balances are useful for this position along with my organization,” Yabaki said.

Yabaki is the only member on ASB who is running for Executive Council Treasurer. Currently the Junior Class Treasurer, Yabaki feels his experience will guide him in improving CHS student business as ASB Executive Council Treasurer.

By Adam Ernst

Commissioner of Pep Claire Colinco

As the current sophomore class president and an involved member of the ASB Rally Committee since her freshman year, sophomore Claire Colinco brings an insider’s perspective to the position.

“I’m kind of an energetic person, and I think that will be really helpful for rallies. I’m also really organized so I think the preparation for the rallies would be on point,” Colinco said.

Commissioner of Pep is responsible for heading the rally prep, and hyping up the student body in anticipation. In the position, Colinco plans to make a few changes to the way rallies are run at CHS. She was excited by the success of the teacher-student games in this year’s spring sports rally, and hopes to expand on it in the future.

“The teacher-student games were really fun and hilarious to watch. [We should be] doing more games that implement teachers, and also more games that the whole school is involved in, so that it’s more interactive and not just watching,” Colinco said.

Despite her extensive involvement with ASB since her elementary school years, Colinco is cautious when asked about her plans for the future and senior year. She plans to take it year by year, and for now, she is satisfied with being elected to Commissioner of Pep and plans to do everything she can to fulfill the position.

By Savannah Daniels

Commissioner of Activities Sarah Estupinian

Sarah Estupinian, CHS junior and girls varsity soccer player, is excited to kick off her senior year as the Commissioner of Activities. Estupinian is currently in her first year of ASB as a member of the renaissance committee. She hopes to start a suggestion box so that all students can give their opinions on interactive and fun lunchtime activities.

Estupinian is dedicated to improving ASB, and plans on doing everything she can to get more students involved. This year on the renaissance committee, she helped start a new program called Random Acts of Kindness (RAKS). The program awards students who achieved outstanding accomplishments with simple gifts and a note of recognition attached to them.

“It made me feel amazing to know that we were making someone’s day and to let them know their hard work is being appreciated,” Estupinian said. “Through RAKS, ASB is able to recognize more than just the sports teams on campus.”

In Estupinian’s senior year, she wants to dedicate her time to bringing CHS together and sharing her passion for CHS with the rest of the school. With original ideas and a driven attitude, Estupinian has high hopes for improving school unity and spirit as the Commissioner of Activities.

By Jordynn Quinine

Commissioner of Publicity Hannah Bivans

Junior Hannah Bivans has been elected the position of Commissioner of Publicity, and has two years of ASB under her belt.

“Honestly, I think that our freshman year was really spirited, really creative, and everyone was really interested in new ideas. I think I can go off of that. [ASB has] already come up with a lot of good ideas building off of those,” Bivans said.

Bivans, currently in ASB, wants to bring back the school enthusiasm she has seen waning lately. She is quick to suggest new ways to excite students and faculty, and methods to boost the Wolfpack Pride.

“I think I would create new ideas on how to get people excited about things. We usually do posters and balloons but maybe come up with a different way of approaching it and getting people excited about what’s going on,” Bivans said.

Her primary goal as Commissioner of Publicity is to make sure that CHS has new and creative ways of inspiring enthusiasm. She hopes to be an individual on the ASB Executive Council that all students can come to with questions or suggestions to be taken into consideration.

“I have a really creative way of coming about things and different ways to get people interested in the events going on at our school,” Bivans said.

By Savannah Daniels

Commissioner of Elections Alex Rodriguez

With focus and determination, sophomore Alex Rodriguez has been elected next year’s ASB Commissioner of Elections. Although Rodriguez considered running for Vice President of the class of 2016, he decided to run for Commissioner of Elections so that he could be involved with the whole school instead of just the Junior class.

Even though Rodriguez is excited to begin organizing elections, he feels that they need more participation from students. He believes that the problem is that there is not enough incentive for students to vote, and plans to use joyous entertainment ranging from popcorn and snowcones to music in order to encourage students to be more involved and vote during any school-wide elections.

“I’m most looking forward to making elections exciting, easy, and fun for everyone. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m up for it,” Rodriguez said.

Besides working hard in ASB, Rodriguez also plays guitar and is fluent in Spanish, and currently working to add French to his oral arsenal by taking French at CHS. Rodriguez is also on track and field, and plans to run cross country in the preseason during the summer.

Being in ASB has helped Rodriguez be ready to take on the challenge of being Commissioner of Elections. Rodriguez is ready to listen to student feedback whether it be positive or negative, and is planning on increasing his participation at school.

By Mohamad Almouazzen

School Improvement Program officer Gavin Derleth

Outgoing and upbeat current sophomore Gavin Derleth wants to provide a stronger voice for CHS students as an officer of School Site Council (SIP). Derleth has shown great leadership and dedication to CHS and students by becoming very involved, but he aims to provide the input of students’ opinions. By participating in ASB in both years at El Roble, Derleth has experience working with SIP.

“I would very much like to elected for SIP, so that I can be the voice of CHS and place state funds in the appropriate places that will benefit students,” Derleth said.

Derleth thinks that parents and teachers do not always realize what the students desire. He recognizes that the funds have not been allocated correctly in the interest of students.

“I believe that the state funds should be used for hands on learning instead basic instruction. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program and school field trips can enhance learning experiences for CHS students,” Derleth said.

Derleth has had multiple leadership positions including coaching a Little League team in Claremont and has been elected as the president of Interact club for next year; he has also participated in Mock-Trial, Claremont Teen Committee, Wolfpacket, and Technical Theater.

Derleth decided to run this year based upon his past experience on ASB and has savored every moment being involved at CHS thus far. Derleth hopes to provide CHS with a stronger voice as an officer of SIP.

By Kelly Meyer

School Improvement Program officer Mike Lowrie

Describing himself as an outgoing and committed student, current junior Mike Lowrie wants to represent his CHS peers as SIP. Lowrie was interested in running for the position due to his sister’s support and his desire to be the voice of CHS students. Lowrie will attend school board meetings once a week along with other teachers and parents in the community if selected. He is not afraid to speak out for CHS, describing himself as a people person.

“I am a responsible student with creative ideas and will not be afraid of asking my classmates about how to improve our school which, I hope, will enable me to be SIP,” Lowrie said.

Lowrie is one of the captains of the cross country team and is involved with track as well as various CHS clubs, including Boost Bible Talk, I Am Second, and Teens for Troops. Lowrie believes that his involvement at CHS would make him a well-qualified candidate. One of the first accomplishments Lowrie wishes to make is to have an extended period of office hours at the end of lunch. In this period, students would be able to get the help they need from their teachers or to just simply ask a few questions regarding the class.

Lowrie wants to help not only CHS, but also the community around him; running for an ASB executive position gives him the opportunity to do this. Lowrie thinks that what makes him stand out from other students running for this position is him willing to speak out and is open minded.

By Chrissie Meyer

School Improvement Program officer Brooke Weigand

As a previous member of El Roble’s ASB committee, sophomore Brooke Weigand hopes to bring her prior experience to the position of SIP on the 2014-2015 CHS ASB Executive Council.

“I’m organized, responsible, and good at talking to adults. I’d be able to communicate well with other schools and the district,” Weigand said.

Weigand’s previous stint as an El Roble ASB member has given her the opportunity to acquire confidence and public speaking skills. Weigand has previously presented ideas to the CUSD school board, and hopes to continue doing so.

“I’ve presented [to the school board] before and with my past experience, it’s easier to talk in front of people,” Weigand said.

Wanting a better environment for CHS, Weigand seeks to improve campus life. Accordingly with her observations of others, Weigand hopes that with communicative knowledge and previous experience in a similar position, she will be able to be a part of the innermost workings at CHS.

By Michelle Wang

Inter-School Council officer Katie Chen

Known for being friendly, outgoing, and loud, sophomore Katie Chen has been elected to the position of Interschool Council for the upcoming school year. As an individual  who is used to interacting with the individuals who are older than her, Chen hopes to connect more students to the high school spirit using her prior experiences with verbal communication as well as volunteering activities.

Chen was involved with many extracurricular activities ever since her early years. She played tennis ever since she was five years old and is currently on the CHS girls varsity tennis team. She was involved with ASB activities since her time in El Roble middle school as a student volunteer, cleaning or setting up any projects that was occurring at the time. She also volunteers at the annual Pilgrim’s Festival. Chen’s involvement with these activities at such a young age allowed her to enjoy the perks of working with others as of a team.

Chen is also an active member of the Interact club and treasurer of the Medical Volunteers of America club. With her passion for community service, Chen hopes to organize events in such a way where students can find that becoming more involved with the school can be enjoyable.

“Whenever you need help, someone to talk to, or even just a person to be there, let me know. I’ll be there for you,” Chen said.

By Phumanee Nosavan

Inter-School Council officer Michaela Moriarty

Having transferred to CHS from Upland High School in October last year, current junior Michaela Moriarty wishes to become more involved in the city of Claremont, as well as CHS. She was involved in ASB at Upland High School as a junior officer earlier this year before transferring to CHS.

“Being part of Upland ASB was exciting and I have a wish to be a part of CHS ASB to become more involved within the student body,” Moriarty said.

Moriarty has practice of giving speeches and public speaking through her involvement on the Speech and Debate team, as well as being a member of the Interact club. Moriarty wanted to run for student council to become more active at CHS and due to her past experience on ASB.

“I will voice more opinions of CHS students, as well as provide a better relationship with the school board members and students. I really enjoy public speaking and feel this skill would help provide vocalization for CHS students,” Moriarty said.

Moriarty believes that she has many skills, including speaking and expressing herself, which will be useful to her as Inter-School Council. She wants to represent CHS students’ needs and express their opinions that can make CHS a better interactive community. Moriarty is willing to put in the time and effort needed to successfully take on this leadership role and will place the interests of CHS first.

By Kelly Meyer

Inter-School Council officer Alexa Tisopulos

Current sophomore Alexa Tisopulos has been elected for Inter-School Council in an effort to impact CHS in a positive way with better communication with the Claremont community.

“I think CHS is a great school because of how inclusive it is, and I hope that I will be able to help CHS students work more harmoniously with the Claremont community which will provide students even more opportunities to get involved,” Tisopulos said.

Tisopulos hopes that her love for socializing will help her to become an effective member of the Inter-School Council. She also believes her current leadership roles in Claremont city and school-wide organizations such as the Interact club as well as the Teen Committee will also be an asset she can use to improve school-community relations.

“I was on ASB in 7th and 8th grade, and I thought it was a really fun experience. I want to get involved in ASB again because I am familiar with the advisor, Mr. Harper, and the class members,” Tisopulos said. “I also want to be involved more and I believe ASB will give me the opportunity to do that.”

Through her involvement in various community-based activities, Tisopulos hopes to hone and develop her skills as a leader and community member through the Executive Council position of Inter-chool Council representative.

By Jacob Landsberg