The 2018/19 school year has begun, which means STA’s student council is already busy organizing an amazing year for our raider nation! We’ve interviewed some key figures within StudCo to report on some inner workings of the council, and provide some insight into new initiatives for the year.
President: Isabelle Colina (grade 12)
Describe the position you hold within StudCo.
As StudCo president I spearhead, manage, and organize all of the student council run events in the school.
Fun fact about yourself?
I’m 4”9 🙂
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
I honestly want to stop the stigma around council not doing anything, and it’d be amazing if we can encourage and promote school spirit at the same time. Actually having council organized enough to run the events that not only we want to run but that the rest of the population wants is my personal main goal.
What’s your favourite thing about STA?
The support that is available from staff! The building is beautiful, the programs available are pretty awesome, but having the support from the staff whether you need them or not is amazing!
Any advice for the student body this year?
My advice to the student body is to stop worrying about what other people think. Without even realizing, it holds you back from doing what you love, so get involved, and don’t care if it’s not “cool” to everyone. Be true to yourself!
Female Vice President: Diana McCorquodale (grade 12)
Describe the position you hold within StudCo
I’m responsible for making sure Izzy’s Starbucks order is correct and on time, and that everyone in the school feels well represented so we can all have a positive high school experience. But more so the coffee thing.
Why did you choose to run for council?
I love being active in the school and seeing everyone have a great time, so I wanted to make sure that I could be involved in making this year amazing. Especially because it’s my last year (LOL hopefully). I really want it to stand out and make some really great memories.
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
I want our school spirit to be the first thing people think of when they think of STA. I would love to see us really come together as a school and enjoy our high school experiences!
What’s your favourite thing about STA?
“The autumn wind is a Raider.” 😉
Any advice for the student body this year?
Don’t be afraid to have fun and look like an idiot while you’re making memories! We’re here for a good time not a long time 🙂
Male Vice President: Ethan Alvizo (grade 12)
Describe the position you hold within Studco
My role in the council is to provide feedback and assistance in starting new school initiatives, along with creating some myself.
Why did you choose to run for council?
I believe STA, while offering many activities, has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to school spirit. Being VP gives me the ability to have a great influence on how we would create this spirit for future generations of students.
Any advice for the student body this year?
There are lots of opportunities for school spirit to grow, but we need the cooperation of the student body! Don’t be afraid to try new things the council is running this year!
Athletic Director: Nya Jones (grade 12)
What is your job within StudCo?
My role is to create an inclusive and fun school environment by planning, promoting, and executing school wide athletic and spirit events. One of my goals is to also re-establish the Athletic Council, as well as the events we run and support!
What StudCo initiative are you most excited about pursuing this year?
I am most excited about planning the Inside Ride! I love this event because it gets the Raider community involved in supporting and raising about such an incredible cause that affects so many Canadians. As Athletic Director this year, my goal is to make sure the organization and execution of this event are top-notch!
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
I have always been a student-athlete who wants to promote the importance of having a physically active and healthy lifestyle, as well as a positive mindset. I would like to use my position to share this philosophy with others through events that we run. That being said, I would like to change students’ negative perception of physical activity by showing them the endless benefits of it.
Secretary: Teni Ayeni (grade 12)
What is your job within StudCo?
I document all of the information at council meetings and am a good reference point to know what’s going on in the school.
Fun fact about yourself?
I LOVE to travel and lived in France for 3 months.
How was the leadership retreat, and what new ideas came of it?
The leadership retreat was so fun! It was a great opportunity to meet other executive members and discuss the upcoming year. We hope to start up intramural sports/open gym during lunches if we can coordinate it with the gym classes.
Treasurer: Sofia Vasconcelos (grade 12)
What is your job within StudCo?
As Treasurer, it is my job to manage the financial aspect of StudCo such as budgeting, income, and expenses. I’m basically the accountant of Student Council.
Fun fact about yourself?
I love theatre, and I love the stage!
What made you choose to run for council?
I wanted my voice to be heard within the school, and I wanted to help make a change. I decided to run for treasurer in particular because I want to go into business for post-secondary, and it is a great experience.
What StudCo initiative are you most excited about pursuing this year?
At the student council leadership retreat, there were a lot of new amazing ideas bouncing around. I am most excited about Cocoa and Cram! during exam season
Any advice for the student body this year?
Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Join a new club, or try out for a team! See all the amazing things our school has to offer beyond the classrooms. Also come out and SUPPORT everyone!
Student Influencer: Simi Okelana (grade 12)
What is your job within StudCo?
My job is to basically influence students into participating in various activities around the school; these activities can range from spirit day events to everyday events that happen during lunch. I also try my best to influence the school’s Raider spirit!
What StudCo initiative are you most excited about pursuing this year?
Pep rallies and sport spirit days, I find those the most exciting of days at school!
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
MORE SPIRIT! When people care about our school and our sports teams, school becomes a lot more enjoyable.
How was the leadership retreat?
I feel the trip was very useful and informative. The group was able to come up with great ideas, such as the theme of our Halloween events around the school. We also thought of ideas for activities at lunch, like Kahoot games in the cafeteria during lunch.
Any advice for the student body this year?
Having school spirit isn’t embarrassing or uncool, it’s literally the coolest thing a high school student can do. Have lots of spirit at sports events and school events… things might be a ‘lil more fun!
Grade 12 Rep: Reina Habesch (grade 12)
What is your job within StudCo?
I’m responsible for ensuring that the opinions of the twelfth grade are heard in the council.
Fun fact about yourself?
I like colouring.
What StudCo initiative are you most excited about pursuing this year?
This year I’m excited about the lunch-time activities! A lot of new things are going to start up soon during lunch to make school a little more fun and a little less stressful.
What’s your favourite thing about STA?
My favourite thing about STA is how much we have to offer. If you’re interested in sports, arts, or academics, there’s always a team or club for you to join (or start yourself!).
Any advice for the student body this year?
This year my advice to the student body is to enjoy your time at school, and participate in as much as you can! You’ll always remember your high school experiences, so we should make the most of it!
Grade 12 Rep (male): Ibrahim Hasan (grade 12)
Describe your position on StudCo
My responsibility, along with the female rep for grade 12, is to ensure we make grade 12 an enjoyable year for everyone in it.
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
I want to make sure that STA continues to be an accepting community for everyone, where anyone can speak up about any ideas they have to improve the school. Through StudCo we have already planned some initiatives to allow everyone’s voices in the school to be heard, such as planning lunches to allow STA students to come to talk to StudCo representatives about their concerns and ideas.
Senior Social Events Convener: Ria Khosla (grade 11)
What’s your job within StudCo?
I plan out the events run by the student council and oversee them to the best of my ability.
What made you choose to run for council?
I chose to run for this position because I like planning and organizing events. I know our grades and what they like, so I wanted to take what we want and put it into something everyone can enjoy!
What StudCo initiative are you most excited about pursuing this year?
I’m extremely excited for Summer Fest! Each year we get better and better so this year’s will definitely be one for the books!
What change would you like to see in the school this year?
I want to gear events towards STA students specifically, and plan things everyone wants to participate in! Students want change, so I plan on making things new and more interesting.
Junior Social Events Convener: David Ribkoff (grade 10)
What’s your job within StudCo?
I help plan pep rallies, assemblies, and other events that involve school spirit!
What made you choose to run for council?
I chose to run to get more involved in the school and make the year a little better for everyone.
What’s your favourite thing about STA?
We have a really inclusive student body; it’s really easy to make friends here.
Mascot Coordinator: Bogdon Basaraba (grade 11)
What’s your job within StudCo?
I make sure that Black Tom is present at every school event, and that the person in the suit has the right characteristics to portray his outgoing personality.
Fun fact about yourself?
I’m 6’3, and therefore cannot fit through doors in the mascot costume 🙁
What made you choose to run for council?
I love being involved with the school as much as possible, and I feel that my past student council experience from previous years has given me the confidence to run for this position of high responsibility.
How was the leadership retreat, and what new ideas came of it?
The retreat was very productive! We thought of some new ways to integrate technology into assemblies for all the phone addicts out there.
Any advice for the student body this year?
My biggest advice is to get involved in the school community; we offer so much, and you’re missing out on a great time if you don’t join something! Anyone interested in student council should come to meetings on Tuesdays at 8:00 in the theatre 🙂