John Steinfeldt

President

John Steinfeldt is running for the position of President in the class of 2018 student council elections. His main goal is to make a big difference within his peers, and would like to create a stronger bond within the grade. John would also like to raise money as well as school spirit with activities such as a school dances and other fun activities to get everyone involved.

John says, “I want to make the class of 2018 unforgettable and the best class in Bernards history.” He can offer leadership and his past experience to help make his decisions. John was a peer leader last year and is the current President of the freshman class.

As the head of his classes student council, he will hear everyone’s ideas out. As well as the student council team, he wants to create a suggestion box for his peers to be able to contribute to. John has also come up with the idea of a spirit committee for each grade to help more people be involved with student council activities.

John’s major goals are to create a strong grade with many positive activities for them to take part in while creating an unforgettable class in Bernards history.

 Maddie McDowell

Vice President

Madison McDowell, class of 2018, is running unopposed for student council Vice President. She has much experience in this position, as she has been Vice President for her class for two years in a row. She embodies all qualities for this position such as a strong leader, good listener and possesses exceptional creativity when it comes to fundraising.

Madison enjoys the challenge of getting her classmates involved. A very active participant in school activities, she knows a ton of her classmates. Madison is involved in the soccer team, golf team, futterflies club, American Red Cross club, her church’s youth group and Peer Leaders.

These clubs and teams give her the opportunity to be with her peers and see what they would like their student council to do. So far she has come up with the green bagel sale and her class tshirts.

Madison says “In the impending year, I am to make a new tshirt design and I am planning to do a new fundraiser for St. Patricks Day involving selling candy grams.” The main goal Madison hopes to achieve for the class of 2018 is making their wishes a reality.

 Ellie Taylor

Treasurer

Freshman Ellie Taylor is running to be the Class of 2018 treasurer next school year. In an interview, she said that she “likes to work with numbers, be a leader and work with a team”, which was the main factor in her running for this position.

Taylor has prior experience working in student government; she was a class officer for two years at her previous middle school and was the vice president of her eighth grade class. Additionally, she organized many school events, such as a school newsletter, a talent show and many other fundraisers. “Additionally, I have played soccer my whole life,” she said. “[This] has taught me the importance of teamwork, leadership and responsibility, [which] are important characteristics of a class officer.”

“I can offer my experience and skills in order to dedicate my time to being a good representative for our sophomore class,” she said. “I am organized and enjoy math and can work well together with others to reach our goal. In this case, our goal is to make sure we do everything we can to make sure we have a great senior year.”

“As treasurer, I want to make sure we have a class budget that we keep organized for all the fundraisers and events we will have,” she said. “I want us to be able to save enough money to buy great things for the grade and not have to spend as much individually (prom tickets, cap and gowns) senior year. This can happen if we keep our money neat, which I can do.”

Uma Patla

Recording Secretary

“As next year’s recording secretary, along with the assistance of the other class officers, I hope to build upon the money that we have already made. All of the earnings do go to the class, and knowing that we only have three years left together as a class, I want to make the best of it.”

“I was the recording secretary last year and we accomplished a lot. Now I’m aware of how to raise the money we need and how to make the best use of it. I’ve gained an understanding of how much effort and work is put into making a profit.”

“Every group needs a leader, just as the class of 2018 does. Being in a leadership position has always been of interest to me. I want to have the ability to connect with people from a higher level and meet their needs, and that’s why I’m running.”

“Overall, watching the seniors go through their last year together has made a lasting impression. I want everyone in the class of 2018 to remember their years of high school, and having this position will allow me to help my classmates to make memories.”

Other candidates include: Megan Mlynarski for recording secretary, David Oliveira for corresponding secretary, and Alex Rishty for treasurer.