As the school year heads to an end, the annual student council elections are set to take place this Wednesday.

This year, candidates running for student council include two incoming freshmen, current sophomore class president, and current student council vice-president.

Freshman Jeremy Oyer, candidate for Treasurer, is running because he wants to be an active and unbiased voice for the school community. Oyer said, “If I am elected, I plan on having more frequent communication with the faculty and staff, sharing and developing with those who oversee us, the students.”

Sophomore Kathryn Harada, current sophomore class president, is running for the position of Recording Secretary. “I’m choosing student council over class council because I wanted to try something different and expand my leadership experiences to something bigger,” she said. She also wants to help organize events such as Spirit Week, Winter Banquet, and Intramurals.

Current student council vice-president, junior Rena Takatsuka, is this year’s lone presidential candidate. She said, “Megan, [current student council President,] did absolutely amazing this year, and I want to live up to how great of a leader she is.” Takatsuka hopes to get the student council representatives more involved and encourage more people to run for office.

Put yourself out there because there’s no harm in trying. Even if you don’t win your election for Student Council, run for Class Council, NHS, Interact, or just make up your own club. Don’t let your talents go to waste, because you could be helping to make your high school experience an even better one. – Student Council President Megan Yamauchi

Bible teacher Tony Traughber, who advises the student council, describes the student council as “the school’s cheerleaders.” He explained, “They’re the ones that are encouraging us, student-wise, to be the best school we can be.” Through organizing school-wide events like Spirit Week, Winter Banquet, Intramurals, and all-school homerooms, one of the council’s responsibilities is to encourage school unity and spirit.

Current Recording Secretary, senior Lauryn Liao, says that students should run for office because “it’s a great opportunity to make a difference… and running for office is a good way to step out of your comfort zone.” Council members learn to work with school administrators and faculty, developing communication and organization skills. Current President, senior Megan Yamauchi, said, “In Student Council you will learn responsibility, organization, project planning, public speaking, and teamwork. You will be working closely alongside four other officers and be able to make new relationships that you may not have had. Student Council is great mostly because your work ethic improves and you learn a lot about yourself and broaden your skill set.”

Senior Dru Pang, current Treasurer, offers this advice to this year’s candidates: “[They] shouldn’t go into the job feeling that they can change the world… but instead they must think ideas out thoroughly and plan a good way to execute an idea.”

As students head to the polls on Wednesday, Yamauchi had this encouragement: “Put yourself out there because there’s no harm in trying. Even if you don’t win your election for Student Council, run for Class Council, NHS, Interact, or just make up your own club. Don’t let your talents go to waste, because you could be helping to make your high school experience an even better one.”

The eight candidates running for office will make their election speeches today in an assembly. Below is a list of candidates and the offices they are running for.

2018-19 Student Council Candidates

Treasurer: Mason Nakamura (’19), Jeremy Oyer (’21), Bailey Pantil (’22)
Corresponding Secretary: Reese Yoshikawa (’22)
Recording Secretary: Kathryn Harada (’20)
Vice-President: Kailee Ishikawa (’20), Shawn Tamashiro (’19)
President: Rena Takatsuka (’19)

Election Results