This year’s election was one to remember, with strong candidates all-round, each presenting brilliant plans for the future of our school. The Sentinel Sun is pleased to present an interview with the 2019-2020 student body co-presidents, Emma Jean Neal and Kian Lalji.
ON SENTINEL, ELECTION, AND PLANS:
1. Why did you decide to run for student body president?
EJN: Since grade 8, I’ve wanted to be student council president… it seemed really fun to be able to take what your peers wanted and be able to set that into motion…. A fun way to connect with everyone in the school and also have some say in creativity.
KL: I wanted to be able to connect with everyone because I feel if people are able to talk to me and say “Hey, I want to make changes to the school” - if I’m able to help with that, just to make sure everyone has a better time in school. If we have that power to change things, it’s just really cool that you can do something.
2. How did you react to the news that you had been elected? How did you find out?
KL: I was in political studies, 2-4, and I was freaking out. I thought it was between a couple of people.. And I wasn’t sure if was in the top 2... Then finally when the results came out, and my friends came to my class too, we all started cheering. It was just a surreal experience.
EJN: I actually wasn’t at school on Thursday…. I was basically sitting on my phone and texting Kian for any news. A friend of mine that she phoned another friend and was screaming “Emma Jean you won!”
3. What was the hardest part of the campaign process?
EJN: Thinking of a funny speech. Humour doesn’t always come to me like it does for Kian :). But the real challenge was to hang my poster above the cafeteria because I’m not very tall.
KL: The hardest part was staying in the budget of $100 for campaigning. Somehow I managed to, but I wasn’t able to hang many big posters. But I was able to give out lollipops with my name on it, smarties, and throw microwaveable popcorn during my speech.
EJN: I agree, the budget was pretty difficult because I wanted to make stickers, so I ended up making them home-made so that I could save money.
4. What is your top priority, and how you would go about addressing it?
EJN: I’d say my main promise is a prom.
KL: The main thing for me would probably be the microwave, which is why it was one of my biggest campaign promises. I talked to Mr. Moroz about it and made sure there was an actual possibility before promising it. It’s definitely going to happen, just don’t put any forks or metal in it, thanks guys.
EJN: Both of us also want to have suggestion boxes… it’s all about hearing what the students want, and implementing their ideas…
KL: What also helps is that Emma Jean and I are on the same page about everything. We’ll work well together.
5. How will you go about maximizing school spirit?
EJL: First of all, we want to start this year by setting a precedent for school spirit… we really want to break the stigma of bad school spirit at Sentinel… We can get that sort of, culture, of school spirit at our school that would be really helpful for setting off a chain of events- that each event will have school spirit because everyone thinks it’s going to.
6. How will you plan getting students involved in activities?
KL: The suggestion box is definitely something we can use so that people are involved. People who don’t want to talk to us or student council directly, they still have the ability to suggest things… Student input is really what’s going to make next year fun for everyone.
How would you describe yourself? How would describe the other person?
KL: I would describe myself as outgoing, funny (that’s just my thoughts!). I’m willing to talk to anyone. Emma Jean is athletic and dedicated to school spirit and dedicated to making sure everyone at school has a good time. She really is selfless and caring towards everyone around her.
EJ: Thanks Kian! To describe myself, I’m very determined… Kian is FREAKING HILARIOUS.
7. What is your favorite part of Sentinel? What makes you proud to be at Sentinel?
KL: Presidents for 2019…. I like the environment of how you can talk to anyone.
EJN: The culture of driven kids at Sentinel- it really fosters success.
RAPID-FIRE QUESTIONS:
1. Hogwarts house?
KL: Gryffindor
EJN: Same.
2. Fun fact?
EJ: I’ve been on the cross country, track, swimming, and basketball teams at Sentinel since grade 8.
KL: I’ve been on the Sentinel tennis team for the past 2 years and another thing I do is the Robotics Academy, Ten Ton Robotics, and it’s pretty cool!
3. On a scale of 1-10, how cool are you?
KL: 8
EJN: 8.1
4. Dream job?
KL: Statistical analyst
EJN: Prime minister
5. Celebrity crush?
KL: Emma Jean
EJN: Tom Holland
A big thank you to Emma Jean and Kian for this interview, and more importantly, your phenomenal campaigns for a better Sentinel!
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