Meet The Junior Candidates – 2018 Council Elections
It’s election season! On Tuesday, May 8, Hanover High School students and faculty will choose who shall represent on Council for the 2018-2019 school year. The polling station, which will be located in the Atrium (across the hallway from the Media Center), will open at 7:30am and will remain open until 2:30pm. All voters will be allowed to choose 11 candidates at most from the ballot, including candidates from any class or the staff. The 12 candidates with the most votes at the end of the day will become at-large representatives; once the at-large candidates have been designated, each class will receive 5 regular representatives and 1 alternate representative. It remains to be seen what will become of the staff will do since not enough candidates have run to fill all of the staff seats on Council. Elections for next year’s freshmen class (the class of 2022) will be held decided solely by the current 8th grade students at the Richmond Middle School, while new-and-tuition student representatives will be voted on in September.
This specific page is devoted to tracking candidates running from the class of 2019. They are currently juniors and will be seniors next year. A Broadside reporter contacted each candidate by e-mail and asked them a series of questions. Here is what each student had to say. Candidates whose names were denoted with asterisks (*) have served on Council during the current school year.
Other segments in the “Meet The Candidates” series for the 2018 election can be found at http://broadside.dresden.us/?tag=2018-council-election.
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ROMANEY GRANIZO-MACKENZIE*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I am deciding to run for a 3rd year because I love Council. I know that sounds kind of lame, but I honestly mean it. I think it’s so amazing that a group of about 40 elected students and staff are able to change the way that our school is run and edit the wording which our administration follows. I am so honored that I have been elected to Council for two years; I have had an amazing time and brought a couple motions, none of which gained too much traction but I don’t let that get me down. I want YOUR vote for Council because I care! I care so much about this school and I will fight for any motions that improve the school and students’ lives.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I am currently working on wording that will get a SWING SET for the school! Again, maybe it sounds lame, but I really think it would be so, so much fun to have swings at our school that students could go swing on during their free time. High schoolers need recess too!
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
I am on the Teen Board for the North Country Community Theatre Teen program, where I have recently been elected a Co-President. This board obviously doesn’t function in the exact same ways as Council; we don’t use Robert Rules and our meetings are a lot less formal than our student government but we still run all basically all of NCCT Teens; we choose the show, we choose the directors, we fundraise to make sure our program stays afloat, and so much more.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Ben and Jerry’s Strawberry Cheesecake
SHEILA MCCARTHY:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
In all honesty, I just felt like it would be good to contribute and represent the students. I am also known for being funny, but I’d like people to also see me as a serious candidate and possible representative.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I would like to engage more in environmental protection. I believe it would benefit the student body since this is our home, and perhaps we could begin using more eco-friendly materials. Also healthier food in the cafeteria!
What past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
I was in model UN, and have well-known experience with public speaking.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Toasted coconut with caramel.
OLIVER MINSHALL*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I want to continue the progress we made this year and improve our school for everyone.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I will play an active role in the discussion of our schedule and advocate flexible solutions that allow students to take the same amount of classes and meet with their teachers more. We need to ensure students have the freedom to take classes that interest them and to take the opportunity to meet with teachers and get food should they need to. I look forward to continuing this discussion. I also think we need to amend the X-periods motion to fix some outstanding technical flaws. I would also like to create new ways for students to give feedback about courses and policies (or simply spread the word about already existing ones).
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
I have been politically engaged for a few years. I have volunteered for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, volunteered for Matt Dunne’s 2016 campaign for Vermont governor, taken part in a close up trip to see President Trump’s inauguration, and participated in a round table discussion about current issues sponsored by Bernie Sanders.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Americone Dream (Long Live Colbert!)
ELIZABETH NAPIER*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
Since my first meetings in 8th grade, Council has been such an important part of my life. We really are given such an incredibly opportunity at HHS to really be able to effect positive change at our school. Over the past three years I have fully taken advantage of that, being an active advocate for the voice of the class of 2019. I hope to continue playing an active role in the running of council and voicing the opinions of all students — even if they are not ones I agree with, and doing all I can to make a difference at HHS.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
If I am re-elected to Council, I will have been a member for longer than any other student. I am the only one who was elected in 8th grade that has continued this far because I understand the important role that council plays at this school. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of passing legislation such as the Gender Motion and the Dress Code Motion. I have also been a chair of the Curriculum Committee for two years, meaning I have also served on the Executive Committee for two years (those early Monday morning meetings have been a pleasure.) I am not afraid to advocate for my opinions and take action when I see something that needs to be fixed. Being a Council member has genuinely been my favorite part of my high school career. It is my hope that the student body will vote for the candidates that they know will make a change and advocate for them, and by doing so, re-elect me for a final year on Council.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
DORY PSOMAS*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I was on council this year and I enjoyed it so I decided to run again.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I don’t have any ideas for motions at this time, but my goal is to listen to students and staff’s concerns and ideas about the school and try to resolve them.
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
I have been in previous leadership roles before. I also like talking to people about council which makes it easy for me to inform people what is happening.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Chocolate and vanilla twist.
ROBERT PUTNAM:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I’m Robert Putnam and I want to be a Council member.
I want to let the students know what is going on in Council before we vote on it.
I’m sick of the way Council makes us believe we have a say in the matter. If I was on Council, I would figure out a way for the whole student body to have a say.
I want to represent everyone’s beliefs and make sure everyone’s ideas make it to Council.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I am sure people have amazing ideas like a comfort zone that has bean bags or more seating for lunch or even the renovation of the weight room.
These are only a few ideas that people have told me but I hope people have a lot more.
How are you prepared for being a council representative?
If you vote for me and I become a Council member, I promise I will do the best I can to achieve our goals.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Chocolate lovers’ chocolate is my favorite ice cream flavor.
MARK RALSTON-DANIEL:
Mr. Ralston-Daniel did not respond to multiple interview requests over e-mail from the Broadside.
COLM SEIGNE*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
Since freshman year I have been interested in becoming more involved in the school. If I make it on, it will be my third year, and I hope to continue doing what I have been doing. The main reason that I am running again is because I am really interested in Student Activities, and I enjoy being one of the students who can help approve money allocations which allow clubs to have great experiences and foster community.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I would like to find more ways to make the treasurer and Student Activities committee more accessible to the student body, I would like to bring motions which bring the school together. I will also work towards motions that the student body favor, and match their opinion.
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
X
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Moose Tracks.
IROHA SHIRAI*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I’m definitely not the typical council kid who is very outspoken in and outside of council, but I’m a good listener and observer and I have been able to contribute my opinions and perspectives that I have seen within the student body this year at council. I am a serious thinker who spends a lot of time when I make decisions, making sure to think about every possible situation before deciding (this is why I am so indecisive 
) I was able to learn a lot this year, and I hope that I can use my experiences from this year again next year.
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
I hope to reinforce the x-periods or figure out another system that will allow the students to meet with teachers outside or during class. In addition, I want to decrease the stress level (which I know, it’s easy to say but hard to do) but I really want to work on this. Some teachers have been very good about giving us less homework, but others have not, and I hope that I can collaborate with the teachers to figure out a solution that will allow the teachers to keep up with our curriculum without having to stress us out.
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
Because I moved to Hanover my freshman year, I understand both the pros and cons of the school, whether it be academics, sports, or even location. I grew up in the south, so I have different experiences that allow me to have different perspectives than what other students may have. I think this is really important when I think about representing the student body. Council should be the representation of the whole student body, not just a select few, so it’s important that we have a variety of perspectives.
As for leadership experiences, I was the secretary for my middle school’s National Jr.Beta Club (school council), and I am the New Hampshire Representative of the Music Mission Outreach Program (a community service program). In addition, I have participated in the Japan Future Leaders School and I have leadership experiences through orchestra and chamber programs as well.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Green Tea.
LEILA TRUMMEL*:
In a few words, why have you decided to run for Council?
I have LOVED being on council these past two years. Being a part of the student government was a really amazing opportunity I also am an avid member of the environmental club and would like to help to green up Hanover High School because I believe that we could reduce our carbon footprint. This year on council, I feel as though there was a large communication gap between council and the student body, and I really want to end that. The students should always be informed about the changes council is making. Many students at Hanover High are often stressed and it can be difficult to find down time, so I want to significantly lower weekend homework. I believe weekends are a time for relaxation, not more work. With Student Life Committee I would like to also work for a schedule change that would benefit HHS. I’m also open to collaborating on motion with a student who wants to see a change, but doesn’t necessarily want to be on council!
If you are elected, what motions will you work for that will benefit the student body?
Currently, I am working on three motions. One is about lowering homework on the weekends, one is about allocating more money to the school’s compost program for buckets in every classroom,and one is with student life to work on a potential late start Wednesday motion. I hope that within the next year these motions can be finalized, discussed and passed through council. I also really want the student body to have a more positive feeling toward council this year.
Besides just being in council previously, what past experiences have prepared you for being a council representative?
I am so passionate about council; I really enjoy being a part of the democratic process at Hanover High School. I am a leader of the environmental club, a member of student life committee, the cross country team, the Nordic ski team, and the track team. I work with people all over the school in these various activities and I love to talk to them about council and what’s going on. I consider myself a leader in class and outside of class as I speak up and take initiative often. I try hard to be empathetic and hear the other side of arguments as well.
Lastly, what is your favorite ice-cream?
Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food!
