Meet your SGA officer candidates

Meet+your+SGA+officer+candidates

It is time to vote for your 2022-2023 school year SGA Class Cabinet! Here are what all candidates have to offer, and remember to vote on the 5-star student app.

Presidential Candidate:

Jack Bachman

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

I’d say every teacher I’ve ever had are the most influential leaders in my life. Whether I agreed or disagreed with their teaching styles or the way they ran their classroom, I’ve been affected by each and every one of them. I think it definitely speaks to how impressionable young people can be, and also how the education system is so vital in a young person’s future.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

I just think of my experiences as a group member when I think of the choices I make as a leader. No one steps into a leadership position without being on the receiving end of that dynamic. Being VP of multiple organizations this past year has helped me realize how I want to lead differently, and what choice I can make that will create different outcomes. I think this doesn’t just apply to my specific clubs but ultimately how I want to lead and go on through the rest of my academic career.

How do you define leadership?

I think the roots of leadership essentially are based on all the qualities to be a good group member. Leaders have to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their company, peers, and work, all on top of a motivated and welcoming personality. A leader shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, to get critiques, and to make change. Leadership is ultimately the ability to advocate for a group of people and take charge throughout the good and the bad!

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

Ultimately I just want to bring back the culture that North Penn had before the pandemic. Last year was difficult with school being hybrid, and there was little motivation to come to school. This year, masks were still in place, and it was difficult to know how the rest of the year would play out with different COVID variants. Next year I honestly think that SGA will be able to return to a place where we can put forth our full effort to bring back the old North Penn.

 

Vice Presidential Candidates:

John Dong

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

There is not one particular leader that I take influence from in my life, so I have to be self-reliant and, in a way, be my own leader figure. Although my ideas and values technically are adapted from elsewhere, they do not take after one specific leader, but they come from my life experiences and act as a leading force that drives me to perform my best.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

I personally believe that we base our decisions on the basis that was built during our upbringing. Fortunately, my upbringing has given me a high moral standard that I try to uphold with my choices. Although difficult, I ideally try to be considerate of as many people as possible, if not all, because I think that the best choice can only be made after looking through all perspectives.

How do you define leadership?

Although leadership does have a professional connotation, it is not limited to professional positions. Leadership is something that is possessed when someone has the personality of a leader: one that is able to initiate and inspire others. Thus, leadership is determined by those subject to said leadership, and it can only exist if those subject to it view it as so.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create a culture of openness, honesty, and respect. Respecting each other would help form a stronger sense of equality and eliminate pretentious or derogatory sentiments; honesty would ease problem-solving by being able to collect information without interference from lies; and openness would give people more opportunities to learn from each other and improve as a result. Although these traits are taught to a certain degree in earlier education, there can be more efficient methods put in place in our education, especially elementary school, so that students stick by these crucial values.

 

Maggie Schaeffer

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

The most influential leader in my life is my older sister. She is one of my biggest role models and encourages me to push myself to be the best version of me. I look up to her and admire her for all that she has accomplished.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

The people I am leading influence the choices I make as a leader because I want to make sure my efforts are overall beneficial for everyone. I believe that as a leader, it is my job to hear everyone out and make the decision that is most positive for the majority.

How do you define leadership?

I define leadership as taking charge and being a positive representative and example to all. A leader must be someone people can look up to, rely on, and trust that they have everyone’s best interests in mind.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create more of a community type of feel at North Penn High School with more enthusiasm towards school spirit. I plan to do this by bringing back and organizing new events that encourage the school to unify together. I would also encourage more participation at school events and spirit days.

 

Ahnaf Tausif

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

The most influential leader in my life would have to be my dad as he’s served as a role model for me in the way I carry myself and the way I interact with others. If we are talking about the historical leader that I most look up to, then that would have to be Muhammad Ali. The way Muhammad Ali changed both the world of sports as well as the US in terms of the social progress he carried is to be commended. The courage and determination he had is what makes me look up to him as much as I do.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

My peers around me are the ones who most influence the choices I make as a leader. Having the ability to hear various different opinions from peers and deciding what’s the best for the group is an important trait of a leader and a trait that I believe that I have.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is defined as the ability to work with and lead a group towards a common goal that works to uplift every member of such a group. Leadership is unselfishness, courage, perseverance, and much more. It requires never giving up even in the toughest of situations. Being a strong leader means knowing the needs of your group as well as letting them have a voice in decisions as well.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create a school culture that is inclusive of one another, one that appreciates and celebrates our differences, and one that works to better ourselves as well as helping others grow confident in themselves. I want to create a school culture where everyone works to support one another as well as appreciate one another. I believe I can help create this vision by working with the student body to bring out the best of our various different clubs, sports teams, as well as other activity groups. By growing to support one another as well as appreciating one another, a beautiful school culture can be cultivated

 

Treasurer Candidates:

 

Evan Kim

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

My mother is the most influential leader in my life.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

When I lead a group of people my number one goal is to get everybody involved and welcomed. I know how it feels to be ignored and disregarded, and I would hate for someone to feel unwelcome under my leadership.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is the ability to help unite and better others. A good leader makes the people they are leading the best people they can be.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

As a member of a racial minority group in America, I have experienced leaders who just appeal to the majority of society; leaving me along with other minority members unaccounted for. I want to change that, and make everybody feel welcomed no matter their ethnicity, sexuality, gender, or anything. Hitting points like increasing the funding to cultural clubs and such to welcome people who feel comfortable is a great safe place.

 

Muhtasim Sagiv

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

My mom is the most influential leader in my life.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

The factors that influenced my upbringing, including the teachings of my parents, various authors, and leaders, all indirectly impact the choices I make.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is about balance, a balance in one’s ability to depend upon and consult their peers while also being able to make decisions independently.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

At North Penn I would like to contribute to a culture that presents itself as inclusive for all students. The role of treasurer would give me a position to help make school events less costly and thus more accessible.

 

Lauren Yoo

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

The most influential person in my life is my volleyball coach. I have had the honor of meeting several incredible coaches, but one that has stuck with me and will continue to stick with me is Coach Eric. I met Coach Eric earlier this year when I went to help out with an open gym for the boys volleyball team. At first, he just seemed like a funny coach who knew the game of volleyball and his players well. From the very beginning I felt so comfortable around him and able to talk to him about my concerns regarding volleyball. Now that I am a manager for the boys’ volleyball team, I aspire to be the leader that Coach Eric is. He coaches his players to not only be better volleyball players, but also better people. He gives them a space where they can grow without any judgment and creates a family that supports one another while they improve themselves. Every decision he makes is for the benefit of the team and if he is unsure he does not have a problem asking others for help. He constantly cares for not only his players but everyone part of the team, managers included. I recently sustained an injury playing and every day without fail he has asked me how it is because he knows from personal experience how an injury can impact an athlete both physically and mentally. Coach Eric teaches me new things and continues to learn new things from different people and I know that he will have a lasting influence on my life not only as a leader but as a human being.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

I believe that what influences the choices I make as a leader is my life experiences. Everyone lives a different life, one that can not be replicated and that is such a unique asset that we should take an advantage of. Depending on your life decisions and experiences, the person you become is affected. A few life experiences that have impacted my choices as a leader are being an Asian-American living in America, playing volleyball, and teaching young children. Living as a young Korean teenager in America has made me more perceptive to situations. I have learned early on that ignorance is often your worst enemy and that giving people knowledge is the greatest gift you can give to them. There have been many instances where someone wasn’t aware of the meaning of an offensive word and they used it as a joke directed towards me. In those situations I stay assertive and inform them of their misunderstanding and educate them. It is often a simple but important and necessary conversation that many people are too scared to have. However, for me, the bigger picture is more important than possible embarrassment or one bad opinion. In addition to that as a leader communication is one of the most important skills you can possess. On the volleyball court, without proper communication you are unable to trust your teammates. This leads to people receiving balls that aren’t theirs and resentment within the team. As a leader I prioritize proper communication in all forms, and in this case between the student government and the student body. Furthermore, working with toddlers has taught me to be flexible and embrace new things. I teach 3-4 year olds how to speak Korean and, more often than not, they tell me how much they hate it. As a leader I find new creative ways to make learning fun and enjoyable. I adapt and change to each student’s needs and embrace their differences while doing it. As a leader, I love being able to bring people together through activities that interest such a diverse group of people. The choices that I make as a leader are influenced by my life experiences so far and as I continue to grow and learn new things, my decisions will become even more experienced and knowledgeable.

How do you define leadership?

To me, leadership is the act of guiding people on the right path. A leader determines what the right direction is by talking to their peers and listening to the group they are leading. Leadership is often something that is learned through experience and it requires a lot of trial and error and the journey will not be perfect. However, being a leader means that you create a community that feels like family, you bring people together despite their differences. This community should be able to last even when there is a new leader, or in this case even when a student graduates. Having leadership means that you encourage others, you have an open mind, and you take the leap of faith and make bold moves others are afraid to. Leadership is growing as you learn from others and being flexible to the unexpected changes of life. The values of leadership are constantly changing with the time period and the situation and a good leader changes with these conditions. Leadership means you are leaving behind a legacy and the legacy I want to leave behind is one of community. As a leader I want to build a community where everyone has a place and a voice. Having leadership is a privilege and it is one that I will never take for granted.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

The current culture in our school is divided. North Penn is such a big and diverse school district that we should take the diversity and use it to learn. I want to connect different groups together and create a community where everyone belongs. I want to help the underrepresented have a voice and to help those who feel hidden be seen. My goal as treasurer would be budgeting in a way where we can make school activities more interactive for a wider range of students. I believe that with the right research and budgeting, we will be able to include a variety of activities and fund more events that will help unite the students of North Penn. Our high school takes pride in the opportunities we offer and yet we don’t use our greatest asset. Student government has the ability to completely change the culture at North Penn with the right people in charge, and I truly believe that I can help be a part of the change. This change in culture will modify each year and it will take a while but with a push in the right direction North Penn can become so much more unique than it already is. We can unite people through cultures and interests such as music and sports. We can have fundraising opportunities where students can work together and bake cookies for the homeless shelter or where students volunteer their time to help young kids in our community learn how to read and write. These fundraising opportunities may unify people who share a passion for baking or for teaching and that creates a community. As treasurer I will devote my time to research fundraising opportunities and ways to increase student involvement so that we can connect North Penn while working alongside my peers and listening to different opinions and ideas.

 

Recording Secretary Candidates:

 

Tarun Iyengar

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

The most influential leader in my life is our tennis coach here at North Penn, Coach Toby Watton (my parents are a very close second). He has been the coach of North Penn’s tennis team since the start of the program, and he has used his leadership position to educate and to inspire countless North Penn players. Not only does he correct our technical mistakes on the court, Coach Watton makes an unmatched effort to make sure we don’t make mistakes as students and representatives of North Penn. He is not afraid to point out the problems and issues in our team, and he is more than happy to congratulate and reward us when we succeed. Coach Watton is a leader who sets expectations and makes sure that we work towards those goals, even if we are taking baby steps. He has taught me to be both a dedicated athlete and an attentive learner every time I step out onto the tennis courts.

 

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

My choices as a leader are most influenced by the people I am representing and the golden rule. I want to make sure the people I represent get the most out of a decision and are set up for long-term success. I want to make choices that will satisfy their needs and that will take into account the diverse opinions of the group. If you make a decision that is in direct opposition to the feelings of your constituents, it is extremely counter-productive and divisive. Additionally, I am heavily influenced by the golden rule when I make choices as a leader. I believe that “treating others the way you want to be treated” is key to a healthy leader-constituent dynamic. When I make choices, I use this idea to see if my choice will make sense and have the impact I want it to have. It forces me to change my perspective and step out of my comfort zone which are two vital skills to any leader.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership can be simply defined as precise guidance of a group to reach a desired goal. This definition can be molded to the different applications of leadership. If you are the coach of a soccer team, you are guiding a group of players to the end goal of winning a championship. To be precise, you have to give your players inspiration and feedback to keep them on track to win the championship. If you are an officer in student government, you have to guide the student body to creating the best possible school environment and community. This requires precise knowledge of the student body’s interests and precise attention to detail in how events are planned. In sum, leadership is taking a group from point A to point B and meticulous too. In the midst of keeping the group on track, leadership forces you to pay attention to your group and learn about them to improve the journey you are leading.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create a culture of unity and service for North Penn. Given that the past two years have been extremely tough to build school spirit with the pandemic limiting our plans, I want to make sure North Penn holds events that mirror the size and fun of our “pre-COVID” times. One event that can be improved is Homecoming. Typically, it is an event that promotes school-wide unity through school spirit, but it hasn’t been the same since the pandemic has hit. This event is a great chance to build unity among peers through more pep rallies, which helps promote a more friendly North Penn environment in which everyone feels welcome and safe. At North Penn, I also believe in creating a culture of service. This can be done through more service events and fundraisers for the student body to participate in. This creates a culture of service at the high school that can inspire our student body to do even greater things for our community. Additionally, I hope these events can inspire our friends at the middle school and elementary school level so that they feel they can make a difference in our community and in our world.

 

Roshan Patel

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

The most influential leader in my life is my sister. She has taught me so much and pushes me to become a better person everyday.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

I am what can influence the choices I make as a leader. No matter the situation, how I react is what will be portrayed and influence my actions.

How do you define leadership?

My definition of leadership is the authority to guide others to success.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create a safe and fun place for everyone. I can do so by doing considerate things everyday and sharing kindness to everyone.

 

Farhana Meme

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

It would have to be my older sister, she has taught me a lot and influenced the way I want to help others.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

Success is what influences me in the choices I make. As a leader, you want to lead your team to the best places. The idea that I lead or even helped, better someone else’s day is why I want to continue in student government.

How do you define leadership?

Leadership is working with a group as a whole and wanting the best possible outcome for everyone involved. Creating a goal and helping everyone achieve is vital in leadership

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

After the last couple of years, I want to create a fun and exciting environment for the whole student body. Whether it’s by continuing old traditions that we may have missed due to COVID or creating new activities for everyone to enjoy.

 

Shriya Srikoti

 

Who is the most influential leader in your life?

While there are many role models in my life, the most influential leader in my life would have to be Joe Allebach, my physical therapist. After having surgery in July of 2021, Joe has been by my side for the past 9 months. Being the manager, he directs the other therapists in the nicest way possible. Joe makes the environment a space where everyone can grow without judgment and inevitably created a support system. Even though it is his job, every decision Joe makes is for the benefit of everyone. He never fails to show warmth and a caring nature to those around him. Joe’s been working with me for a while now, and I can confidently say that he taught me new things and I am continuing to learn from him every week. Not only as a leader, I know that he will always have a lasting impact on me as a person.

Who or what influences your choices as a leader?

I believe that the people being affected and my personal experiences influences the choices I make as a leader. When presented with a choice, it’s important to understand what the options are, who’s going to be affected, and how they’re going to be affected. I have been working as an active volunteer in our local hospital for a bit more than a year. My duties include making choices between which patient gets what. Because of the lack of necessary supplies, we’re forced to make a hard decision on which patient gets the help. More often than not, this is incredibly difficult and it comes down to who needs it the most. We pool our knowledge and notes together to decide who will struggle more without the said necessity. As a leader, I constantly prioritize considering all the options while adapting and changing to others’ needs. I am continuing to learn new things, which will make my choices filled with even more experience and knowledge.

How do you define leadership?

My definition of leadership is the ability to motivate, empower, define a vision, communicate, respect, and, of course, lead by example. Leadership is not a position or title, it is action and example. A leader must be honest with themselves about who they are, what they know, and what they can do. You must be able to convince your followers, not just yourself or your superiors, that you are worthy of being followed in order to be a successful leader. This, in my opinion, can encourage their followers to have faith in you in order for you to be able to lead. I am convinced that good leaders are created rather than born. You can become an excellent leader if you have the drive and the willpower to do so. Leadership also comes from one’s morals. Although leadership does not form overnight, I do believe that a person who feels ready to take on a leadership mindset changes to become a leader. I feel that once a person starts thinking and taking control of anyone and everything outside of themselves, they’ve taken on the responsibility of leadership. An effective leader is someone whose leadership strategies have an effect on others, will notice more people who take notice and gradually gain a platform, and can witness a change in the people that he or she has impacted. I believe that it is necessary for someone looking into leadership to have charisma in order for people to believe in them. This is something that I can elaborate much more on, and would love to, if given the opportunity. To whoever is reading this, I can assure you that leadership is an honor, and if presented to me, I will never take it for granted.

What kind of culture do you want to create at NPHS and how can you do so?

I want to create an inclusive environment in our school. I have noticed that students tend to shy away from their true selves, personality, and culture. I would like to bring different groups of students together to form a more united community where all students feel seen. While the role of the corresponding secretary isn’t much, one of my strengths is reaching out to the student body to understand what they truly want. Our high school is very diverse– there’s no doubt about that– however, we don’t do much to embrace the differences in the student body. With committed students in office, we can gradually make North Penn united. We can organize diversity days, where students can come into school dressed in their cultural clothing. This may seem cringe, but I’ve noticed that our generation is becoming more and more open to expressing their culture. We could also have outspoken students present their culture in a walkthrough display in the gymnasiums. As corresponding secretary, I can assure you that I will devote my time to research, plan, and execute opportunities to let our students shine so that we can make North Penn a unified and beautifully diverse campus.