As election week approaches, students in middle and high school are stepping up to run for leadership roles in next year’s Student Council.
Introduction
With the school year almost at a close, Student Council elections are right around the corner. From 8th to 11th grade, students are stepping up to run for key leadership positions, hoping to represent their peers and make a difference in the Léman community.
This year’s ballot features a wide range of candidates — from first-time participants to returning members — each bringing their own goals and ideas to the table. With positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Event Coordinator all up for grabs, the elections are competitive and exciting.
Stay tuned to learn more about who is running, what they are campaigning for, and how you can get involved in choosing next year’s student leaders.
The Role of Student Council
Student Council plays a key role in shaping life at Léman, from planning events like Spirit Week to representing student concerns. This year’s candidates are bringing strong ideas and energy to the election.
Each position has its own responsibilities. The president leads the council and works with administration, while the vice president supports them. The secretary keeps meeting records and manages communication. The treasurer oversees the budget and tracks spending. Event coordinators focus on planning and running student events.
Introducing the Candidates
Event Coordinator Candidates
Genevieve Shibilo, a rising senior, says she is full of ideas and ready to bring them to life. “Many students complain about a lack of school spirit, but that’s because events haven’t been exciting,” she says. Gigi wants to plan more creative, student-driven events — not just dances — and make sure all voices are heard. She believes communication is key, and that Student Council should reflect what the student body actually wants. “It’s much more comfortable to share concerns with students than faculty,” she adds, emphasizing her goal to create a fun and safe environment.
Laila Steriti, a rising senior, wants to bring students together through fun, inclusive events. With experience managing the baseball team and planning events at her family’s restaurant, she is organized and great at multitasking. “I want to create events that reflect what students actually want,” she says, adding that she will make it easy for students to share ideas. “Student Council gives us a voice to make change and build community.”
Bella Cardenales, a rising sophomore, was inspired by a staff member who saw her potential for the role. With experience as Student Ambassador, WEB Leader, NJHS, and the dance committee, Bella has planned and managed events before. She wants to personalize school events based on student feedback, like using surveys for dances and adding movie nights after finals. “I want to create more volunteer opportunities and collaborate with the art department for events,” she says. Bella believes that Student Council is crucial for giving students a voice and shaping a more personalized school experience.
Yahan Zhang, a rising sophomore, believes leadership should be about action, not just promises. With experience organizing concerts, leading environmental initiatives, and representing students at a UN forum, she is focused on making student voices heard. “The Council isn’t just a title — it’s the bridge between students and decision-makers,” she says. At Léman, she hopes to build a more inclusive and sustainable community through cultural events, daily communication, and stronger collaboration with The Bullhorn to keep students informed and engaged.
Sophia Colon, a rising freshman, is running for Event Coordinator to bring more events to the school. “This year was my first at Léman, and I’ve always wanted to make things happen,” she says. She has already shown leadership by starting a petition for a longer lunch break in grade 5. “I believe creativity is the trait of a leader,” she adds, wanting to use her ideas to make fun events happen. Though shy, Sophia is committed to listening to her peers: “I plan to get their opinions by fostering relationships and friendships.”
Treasurer Candidates
Michelle Chujia Zhang, a rising senior, brings leadership experience from founding FloFree, a club focused on menstrual equity. As a varsity swimmer and current Student Council member, she has developed strong teamwork and organizational skills. “Léman is such a diverse and international community,” she says. “Student Council helps make sure that all voices are heard — no matter where you’re from or what your background is.”
Bill Wu, a rising junior, is also in the running for Treasurer. However, he did not respond to requests for his comments.
Secretary Candidates
Elizabeth Volpert, a rising senior, wants to use her leadership experience to bridge the gap between students and administration. With a background as secretary and president of JSU, an editor for The Bullhorn, and a statistics lead for Boys Varsity Soccer, Liz brings proven organizational and communication skills. “Student Council is the voice of the student body,” she says, adding that she plans to improve communication with realistic solutions like staggered entrances to ease elevator lines and more detailed advisory announcements. “I’ll always be available for a conversation, and I’ll take every concern seriously.”
Alessandro Scotti, a rising junior running, says he is running because he cares deeply about Léman and wants to help improve how the school functions. “I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t,” he says, “and I want to bridge that gap.” Alex sees the secretary role as a chance to focus on clear communication and organization. He hopes to make Student Council more transparent and accessible, suggesting things like feedback forms or QR codes to gather student input. “Student Council gives us the chance to shape our experience, not just react to it,” he says.
Vice President and President Candidates
Amy Diallo, a rising senior running, has years of experience with Student Council. She has previously served as Secretary, helping to bring the Relax Room and the finals snacks to life. “I don’t just talk about making things better, I do the work to make it happen,” she says. Having planned events like the BSU cookout and STUCO pep rallies, Amy is focused on building a stronger school culture. “The most important change I’d like to work on is building a stronger school culture,” she adds. She wants to be accessible, noting, “I’m here to listen to everyone’s ideas, thoughts, and even complaints because it’s the students’ voices that matter.”
Maximiliano Rodríguez Ruiz De Velasco, a rising junior running for Vice President and President, is motivated by a belief in unity and empathy. “We humans are designed to work as a team—no one gets anywhere alone,” he says. Maximiliano sees Student Council as a way to bring people together and make sure every student feels represented. “Even issues that do not directly impact me still impact me because we are a unified community,” he adds. His goal is to strengthen that community by being approachable and listening to every voice.
Janai Snagg, a rising senior, wants to bring real change to the Student Council without making empty promises. With two years of Student Council experience, she is already familiar with how things work. “I plan to create more events and increase student engagement,” she says, with ideas like more town halls and student surveys to gather feedback. “It’s important to be a role model and always be there for the community.”
Samirah Horton, a rising senior, is running for President with a vision to take the school to the next level. As Secretary this past year, she saw the potential for greater change. “I chose to run for President because I want to take that next step—leading, creating change, and making sure everyone’s voice is heard,” she explains. Samirah, who also runs a nonprofit and speaks nationally on leadership, emphasizes action: “I don’t just talk, I take action.” She aims to strengthen school spirit and create more student leadership opportunities, saying, “Everything I do will involve you.”
Moving Forward
On Monday, May 12, all candidates delivered their speeches to the student body, sharing their visions, goals, and reasons for running. Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 13. Be sure to listen, reflect, and cast your vote—Student Council is your voice, and your choice helps shape Léman’s future.