The four candidates were colleagues in the EDSS leadership class, but only two would emerge to take the helm of the school council next year. Putting what they learned in the classroom into practice, Grade 11 students Lydia Frey and Brandon Seip will be the 2010/2011 co-presidents.
More than 450 students cast their ballots last week at Elmira District Secondary School.
The pair will be following in the footsteps of this year’s co-presidents, Caelen Rank and James Toronchuk.
Along with Frey and Seip, the race included Jon Milanovich and Danielle Thomas, all of whom spent much of last week wearing campaign T-shirts, making promotional videos and talking to students about what would make them the best choice.
Following the vote, all four candidates were called down to the school’s main office May 7 and given the news.
The co-presidents elect now face a variety of tasks. The role includes the organizing of school assemblies, being a representative of the school at public events, helping to organize events and fundraisers and promoting school spirit in leading by example.
“Something we want to focus on this year is school spirit,” said Seip. “We think it’s important for people to be excited about their school, to be proud of it.”
Both students were members of their student councils in Grade 8, and are now very involved in sports at the high school level; Seip plays on the football, basketball and rugby teams, while Frey is a member of the basketball, volleyball and track and field teams.
“Athletics is something that a lot of people can get into,” explained Frey. “Our school is pretty enthusiastic about our sports teams.”
Among other ideas that the pair have been brainstorming for the next school year, Seip has an interest in rejuvenating the fitness intramurals program, in which students are part of a league where they are able to play a different sport each week.
Their jobs start in September and both students say they’re not anxious about what is to come in the following months.
“I was a bit nervous doing the speech, talking in front of the whole school,” explained Seip, “but I think that is something that will get easier with time.”
