I am fortunate to have been given several amazing leadership experiences in my life, which have taught me such perspective and creativity. From my 4 years on my high school’s student parliament, to 3 different select leadership seminars, I know that I can offer new and innovative ideas to unite the student body. I have learned a lot about event marketing, and why people attend or don’t attend certain extracurriculars. My goal on the UWSA Board of Directors is to propose a huge variety in events ranging from super extraverted crazy events to super chill ones, allowing everyone somewhere where they feel comfortable. I have practice in advocating for others, and I am pumped to use what I know to reach as many students as possible. I understand that everyone has their own stuff going on, and I believe that the best approach to engaging the masses is communication, outreach, empathy, inclusion, and advocacy. Through my experience in HOBY leadership seminar and YLC, I have learned the importance of hearing everyone out, and moving forward together, rather than catering to those who are giving the most. I am psyched to run for your first-year representative, to include first years across the board, and have some fun.  

For first year students, an issue we are facing right now is the major shift from high school life, since now we are lots more responsible for keeping our lives together. An easy fix would be to offer suggestion boxes, or an “Ask us anything!” Instagram link, but I want to reach students more directly- answering questions before they are asked. Rather than waiting for questions to flood in, I want to use my own experiences to pre-emptively address students’ wonders. I believe that the little life hacks students pick up throughout their years at school should be made common knowledge for new students, to make everything easier. I understand that students often feel as though their questions should be common knowledge and therefore don’t ask at all. Then, the other students feeling the same way won’t get an answer anyways, and then we have more dazed and confused first year students for a reason that could be easily fixed. As for events, I hear a lot of “I’ll go if you go”. While everything is more fun with friends, an even better outcome is meeting new people at said events! I want to be very open and clear about exactly what certain events will entail, because a sense of certainty makes it a lot easier to go somewhere alone. All in all, I want to make sure first year students feel comfortable at school and are open to trying new fun things.

As a first-year representative, I will ensure these qualities by sharing frequent, measurable goals to hold my progress accountable, as well as including a variety of people in the process to have all perspectives accounted for. As a part of my leadership style, I encourage constructive criticism, because I believe that the best outcomes come from collaboration- think ‘two minds are better than one’ type. Throughout my 4 years on my high school’s student parliament, I would often form unofficial mini committees for event brainstorms, and I was always left with new innovative ideas that catered to the whole student body, rather than just from a leadership perspective. These breakout brainstorms offered so much, and as a first-year representative, I would continue to involve non-UWSA Board of Directors in brainstorms, giving everyone an equal voice. 

I think that it is the UWSA Board of Directors’ responsibility to offer chances for connection, fun, opportunities, experiences, and new exciting avenues to students. I want to be a part of this work because I am passionate about community. I believe that a sense of belonging is the first step towards finding the right people, places, and activities. I consider nothing more rewarding than watching people come out of their shells because of an event/opportunity I was a part of. It is thrilling to see the bond formed between people in the crucible of some whacky event. I want to be on this team because I know that I can work well with other members and offer new and creative ideas to boost student experience. In addition to fun social events, I want to give every student a fair shot at some amazing opportunities that the school has to offer, whether is be within a club, or an outreach program to an organization, I am excited to take part in students’ success stories. Speaking specifically about first years, I adore meeting new people and chatting with everyone on earth, and I am confident that I can reach many people, to promote all that the UWSA Board of Directors, and the university has to offer.