On Tuesday Dec. 8, at 8pm, ASG live-streamed its first-ever Town Hall on YouTube showcasing the candidates’ campaigns and policies, with a turnout rate of approximately 29 attendees. Below is the IHS Voice’s recap of the event.
Disclaimer: This recap was condensed for clarity and length. To get the candidates’ full responses, watch the full town hall here: ihsvikings.org/townhall
What are you going to do to make sure that you grow as a leader?
Raj:
Collect feedback from classmates and take them into account
Maansi:
Ask for people’s thoughts before taking action Believes in self reflection
Nosheen:
Ask people about their opinions on her actionsMake sure to implement the suggestions that people give her
What experience do you have in the ASG class?
Maansi:
Current IHS Visualizations Director Led IHS Winter Ball and worked with publicity last yearLed Mask Drive in the summer and worked with several committees this year
Nosheen:
Joined ASG as Freshman Class Officer and Sophomore Class OfficerASG Vice President this year and led the class officers Transitioned bench-building to an online platform
Raj:
Current Junior Class Officer First year in ASG, planned fundraisers and eventsHelped with transition of bench-building to an online platform
What students do you think ASG is not reaching out to?
Nosheen:
Will work with Yearbook and Voice to reach out to more students and clubsReach out to smaller clubs to collaborate on events, so they can get more recognition
Raj:
Many Irvington students don’t have certain social mediaNext year, use physical flyers and forms to reach out to people who don’t use social media
Maansi:
Study the interests of the student body and create events that are attracting more people Reach out to more clubs and make an effort to recognize them
What are some specific projects you want to implement?
Raj:
Create centralized feedback form because emphasizing feedback is important and reaches underrepresented studentsWork with Class Officers to create a feedback page for them
Maansi:
Change the planning formatFeedback forms usually can’t be applied until the next yearWill take time in the beginning of the school year to learn what type of events students want and apply them to the schedule Work with other clubs like The Voice to learn about other clubs and student groups to reach out to
Nosheen:
Recognize different clubs and and their achievements during announcements and rallies Started Viking Pulse this year and addressed a lot of mental health issues in the Irvington communityStudents facing systemic issues can come light with Viking Pulse
Three words that capture your leadership style:
Maansi:
Passion: helped start some events that ASG held, like the Mask Drive. Purpose: ASG can do a lot with their resources and use their platform wisely to bring in new ideas Togetherness: work with people in and outside of her class to make an impact
Nosheen:
Connections: foster positive work environments and help people reach out to her Non-Positional: there’s no limit to what someone can do, anyone can have a big impact on ASGImpactful: make sure that whatever she does has an impact
Raj:
Self-improvement: you can’t grow if you can’t get feedbackService-based: loves giving back to the school and wants happy environment that makes Irvington as great as possibleEmpowerment: help all ASG members and school body
Biggest struggle as a leader?
Nosheen:
Maintaining staminaStrong in the beginning of the year, but would burn out easily Learn to prioritize tasks without getting stressed outBeing VP has helped prepare for the stresses of being president
Raj:
Time management Tends to procrastinate and overwhelm himself before something is dueOvercame this by keeping a whiteboard to check upcoming events
Maansi:
Easy for people to walk over her Learned how to be assertive as an executive council memberRealized that she was there to represent ASG and the student body, not for herself
Improving school spirit in case school continues to be virtual:
Raj:
Use feedback from this year to carry out events next yearUse and implement data and giving clubs shout-outs
Maansi:
ASG’s service events have been drawing a lot of peopleThink about what to do as they go forward because there are certain events that attract more people
Nosheen:
Executive council didn’t know how to do things this year because the future was uncertainExecutive council can foresee better this year and can decide if an event will be virtual or in-person with more experienceThey know what is successful and what is not
Only for Nosheen: Why should you be president for reasons other than experience?
Can foster relationships and motivate peopleWants people to know that she’s there with students, and that she’s not above them
Only for VP candidates: What can you take from your experience that will help class officers?
Maansi:
Gained experience leading the class as a member of executive councilHelped with class council and was an active participant with bench
Raj:
Junior Class OfficerJoined ASG recently so understands student perspective that is independent of ASG influenceCan help the class officers through experience and behind-the-scenes knowledge from being a class officer