Students at Chapel Hill High School voted for Student Government officers during elections on May 31 and June 3, electing junior Jess Schinsky as 2019-20’s student body president.
Junior Lauren Johnson won the vice-presidential race; junior Lizzy Spores was elected treasurer; and Avery Look, Emma Thomas and Madi Lin will serve as senior, junior and sophomore representatives respectively. A secretary for Student Government will be appointed by faculty advisor Keith Cooper.
Schinsky served as secretary during the 2018-19 school year and sophomore representative during the 2017-18 school year.
After planning the Homecoming Dance this year, Schinsky knew she wanted to run for student body president.
“It was very rewarding to plan an event that we haven’t had for many years, and it was amazing to see so many people have fun, and for the freshmen to come out of their shells a bit,” Schinsky said.
She plans on working with new Mental Health Specialist Erich Priest to destigmatize and increase awareness of mental health at Chapel Hill High School, as well as make the exceptional students feel “more accepted and welcome.”
“I also want to make sure that Student Government supports and publicizes events from all different sides of our school,” Schinsky said. “I hope that, overall, our school can become more unified and supportive of what each person has to offer, while also inspiring students to get involved.”
Schinsky emphasized the importance of improving student life beyond the classroom.
“I hope that by making student life outside of just the classroom a priority, I can ultimately help students think positively about their high school experience because high school allowed them to experience many new things and learn more about themselves,” Schinksy said.
Senior Nicole Bell, the 2018-19 school year president, praised the work Schinsky has put into Student Government.
“She is so passionate about what she does, and I believe that will shine through in what she accomplishes,” Bell said. “She has and continues to give her all.”
Candidates campaigned in various ways, soliciting votes through posters, social media accounts and official speeches given on May 30 during lunch.
“I voted for the people I knew best and the ones whose posters I saw around the school,” sophomore Aaron Jirles said.
Look “couldn’t keep the smile off [her] face” when she received the call that she had won the senior representative position and said she is eager to work with all the elected officers.
“I think I am most looking forward to seeing what kind of impact we can have on the students of Chapel Hill when we all work together,” Look said.
Thomas, next year’s junior representative, was the only candidate to run unopposed this year.
“Running unopposed has its benefits, but it also makes it so I don’t experience a true election like the other candidates get to do,” Thomas said. “I am, of course, grateful for the upcoming position, but I wish I had a bit of competition!”
Thomas ran on a platform of making Tigerfest an annual event, creating more outreach events and improving the publicity of clubs.
Cooper foresees potential difficulties holding Tigerfest next year.
“We might not have an auditorium, and, without that, Tigerfest is really hard, and we’re also going to have so much less parking,” Cooper said, “We have 80 speakers come. Parking is an issue.”
Elected officers will likely meet with Cooper over the summer to work on their involvement in freshman orientation and begin planning Club Day.
