From posters to promises: AHS students prepare for ASB elections

2–3 minutes

Aspiring elects talk about their goals for elections this year

With spring right around the corner, hallways buzz with excitement as AHS gears up for a long-awaited event: ASB elections. From putting up colorful posters to making campaign videos with trending audios, aspiring candidates have already started preparing for the elections that happen around the middle of January.

The positions are the same as every year: ASB president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and chief justice, in addition to the class positions of class president, vice president, and senator.

For many students, being elected is not just about a title. It is about making a real, measurable difference in the school community. “I just want to make the school more accessible for others,” said Noor Khatib (11), who is running for ASB vice president next year. “Not everybody has apps like Instagram and Facebook, so I really want to focus on printing out more things and talking to people in person more.”

Current elects Romir Swar (11) and Noor Khatib (11) campaigned by creating social media posts to gain attention (Photo Credit: Noor Khatib (11)).

For many, the motivation to run next year comes from the unforgettable memories made in their Leadership class this year. “The thing I enjoy most about being an elect is making bonds and new friendships that really support me,” said Shanaya Shah (9), the vice president for Class of 2029. “These bonds have helped shape me as a person, and Leadership has become like my second family.” Shah is running for the same position of vice president next year as well. “I just want to try to push myself as a leader.”

As for older returning elects, many shared that they would like to change their campaign style from previous years. “I feel like last year I got really busy with schoolwork, so I barely communicated my goals in-person,” shared Ikjot Bali (11), a senator for Class of 2027. “I definitely want to take more time to talk to people I’ve never met before and spread the word in-person.”

In addition, many elects believe their previous years’ campaigns lacked depth—they shared that they want to put their goals out there more. “This year I want to make sure people know why I am running,” said Sahasra Pamarthy (10). Pamarthy served as both a freshman vice president and sophomore president for the Class of 2028, and she hopes to be ASB chief justice next year.

These aspiring candidates are looking forward to the campaign season ahead. “Running is a really fun experience, and we’re all just here to enjoy the ride,” said Kabir Thapar (9).