Interviews with newly-elected Student Council members

You can check out the results of all school elections here and class elections here, but for interviews with the winners stay right here. Continue for interviews with All School President Raina Jacques, All School Treasurer Andrew Garcia, Senior Class President Dani Lubin-Levy, Senior Class Vice President Rafael Cabral, and Senior Class Treasurer Michael Firer. We'll add more interviews over the next few days, so check back soon!

All School President: Raina Jacques

What was your first act in office?
My first act in office, besides jumping up and down with Sowande during dinner on our second night of Dreamgirls, was meeting with the administration and the former leaders about some advice they can give me to successfully lead the school next year.

How have you liked running meetings?
Running meetings is a lot of fun but very nerve wracking. It's very exciting to see the amount of love and support that I get all across the Beaver community. Even from just standing in front of the whole school I am sure to encounter a smile that keeps me calm because it gives me a sense of assurance up there.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal for next year is that we can enjoy ourselves as a community as much as we can. I know how hard it is as a junior to have very stressful and challenging classes and I feel it is important to give ourselves a break once in a while to help us maintain our focus. I am hoping that our meetings will continue to be a variety of presentations where every day there is something new to look forward to.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
My biggest fear for next year is that not everyone will agree with the decisions we make as a student council, but I'm hoping that the majority of the community will keep supporting us.

Any other comments?
I am really excited to be your leader for next year. Beaver has shaped me personally throughout my 3 years here and I cannot wait to learn more from each and every one of you.

All School Treasurer: Andrew Garcia

What will be your first act in office?
I don't have any idea what my first act in office will be, and I sort of like that. I haven't had enough time to talk to other Beaver students and really understand the direction they want the school to go in.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal for next year will be to find better places for students to relax or hang-out during frees. My campaign was all about improving the student experience at Beaver, and I guess that starts with creating a comfortable environment here on campus.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
Failing to live up to the responsibility of my office, creating a giant mechagodzilla to fight the real one, or starting a communist witch-hunt in which I unfairly persecute innocent Beaver students.

Trustee / Parent Association Representative: Sam Freeman

What was/will be your first act in office?
My first act in office will be finding out exactly what my job title entails, including who the trustees actually are.

What issues are especially important when talking to trustees and parents? What makes your position unique?
The trustees and parents manage most of the school's money and also posess ultimate veto power, therefore it is imperative to have someone (aka me) who can act as a link between the students and the parents/trustees in order to foster a better relationship the two bodies, no pun intended. My position is unique because I have to be able to understand the students needs, and communicate those needs effectively to the parents/trustees.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal is to prevent Andrew Garcia from fomenting a military coup of the student government and installing a junta and a totalitarian dictatorship with himself as the sole power.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
See above.

Any other comments?
Git'r done.

Senior Class President: Dani Lubin-Levy

What will be your first act in office?
My first act will hopefully planning some senior fundraiser event to raise money for a charity that our class chooses, but of course I would love to know what my peers would like to do.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal is to unify the class, really breaking down on the cliques and barriers.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
My biggest fear would probably have to be doing the graduation speech. While it is very exciting, I know I will be so nervous!

How does it feel to be representing your class in its final year at Beaver?
I am so excited to represent my class for my senior year! I've been at Beaver since 6th grade and have gone through a lot with this class and can't wait to be a strong leader.

Senior Vice President: Rafael Cabral

What will be your first act in office?
Well as I mentioned in my speech on Friday, I look to be part of a team next year. For this reason, I will have to have a conversation with the other members of the student council (next year's senior class student council as well as the all school student council) to decide what is best for the senior class and for the school. However, I believe a good starting point would be to work on the lunch menu for next year. There were definitely some good lunches this year, though I, as well as many other students, feel there could be some improvement in this area.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
Making next year the best and most fun year at Beaver for everyone in the senior class.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
I can't really think of any at the moment. I think the senior class student government and the all school student government will do a great job next year.

How does it feel to be representing your class in its final year at Beaver?
Well of course it feels great. I'm glad my grade gave me the opportunity to improve their final year at Beaver, and I will try my best to accomplish all the goals I have planned for next year.

Considering you had a starring role in the 2006 smash hit "Dan y el Toro," do you consider yourself Beaver's version of actor-politicians like Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwartzenegger?
Well I guess in that sense sure! However, much of the reason those two candidates were chosen to serve in office was because of their fame and popularity. I don't believe this was the case for me; I honestly think that my class chose me because they felt I was a good candidate who could make their senior class as enjoyable as possible.

Any other comments?
I'd just like to say thank you to the entire junior class (next year's senior class) for allowing me this opportunity, and Beaver better be ready for "Dan y el Toro DOS!!"

Senior Class Treasurer: Michael Firer

What will be your first act in office?
That depends on what's practical. I'll probably try to find better uses of unused space. Maybe look into the whole lost and found dealie. 'Cause that's a nice room.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
Actually get something permanent done.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
Having to support stupid t-shirts. *cough* What? Who said that?

How does it feel to be representing your class in its final year at Beaver?
If you only knew.

What will you do about the vending machine situation? Are you satisfied with its outcome, or still pushing for action?
I assume this is one of those things Beaver doesn't plan to change (that new machine probably cost a pretty penny), but I'll try to get the soda machine back. If they're not going to offer an alternative, they can't take the old one away.

Will you fight childhood obesity The Awesome Way?
I mean, I would, but you just know all the middle schoolers would hog the DDR machine.

As a class officer and newspaper contributor, will you leak confidential government secrets to the press?
Isn't that just assumed?

Any other comments?
Pleasedon'tstopthemusiiiiic, pleasedon'tstopthemusiiiiic, pleasedon'tstopthe-pleasedon'tstopthe-pleasedon'tstopthe musiiiic!

Junior Vice President: Willy Tucker

What will be your first act in office?
My first act will likely be to lay out a general plan for the year to come. Then I might create a few taxes. I would probably create one regarding the transport of written documents, and maybe some on things like glass, paint, etc. Sans representation, of course.

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal? To make the students actually happy with their Student Government.

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
Spiders, most likely. Unless something drastically changes between now and then. A jellyfish attack might do it.

Do you pledge not to raise taxes?
See #1.

Will you make Beaver energy independent if it means cranking a generator with your own two hands?
Ha.....that's a laugh. If I could clone myself, however, and have the clone crank the wheel, of course. That would bring up a few issues of morality among the student body, but you know what? I don't care. I will achieve energy independance at any cost (barring any personal effort).

Do you support a preemptive strike against the underground bunkers of the Brimmer & May School?
Is that de-classified yet?

Is it true that when you first came to Beaver in 6th Grade, you arrived under heavy sniper fire and had to sprint from the car into Bradley Hall?
Umm......I misspoke?

Do you think I'm giving you ridiculous questions just because I'm your brother?
Oh my god! You're my brother? It all makes sense now.

Any other comments?
Long live our glorious motherland, her freedom and her independence! Under the banner of Lenin---Onward to victory!

Sophomore Vice President: Tiesha Pough

What will be your first act in office?
Since this is my first time in office at Beaver, my first act in office would be to gather all the student's issues and concerns. It’s important for me to do this because I’m the one who’s representing them and for me to know what issues and concerns they have, it’s a step to making the 10th grade class WONDERFUL!!

What's your biggest goal for the next year?
My biggest goal for the upcoming school year is to not only unify my grade but to make it a year they will enjoy and never forget!!

What's your biggest fear for the next year?
I don’t have any fear at this moment but I am a little nervous about it since this is my first time in office but I’m planning on giving it my all.

Any other comments?
I want to thank the class of 2011 for electing me as their class Vice President and the Beaver Reader for taking in the time to interview me. Thank You!!

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BREAKING NEWS: Class Office Election Results

Class office election results are in. We also have an ever-growing collection of interviews with the winners.

Class of 2009 (Seniors-to-be)
President: Dani Lubin-Levy
Vice President: Rafael Cabral
Treasurer: Michael Firer

Class of 2010 (Juniors-to-be)
President: Joanna Georgakas
Vice President: Willy Tucker
Treasurer: Diallo Spears

Class of 2011 (Sophomores-to-be)
President: Taylor Pierce
Vice President: Tiesha Pough
Treasurer: Kirsten Gute

Congratulations to our new student government!
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BREAKING NEWS: All-School Student Government Election Results

Congratulations to the new student government!

President: Raina Jacques
Vice President: Sowande Gray
Treasurer: Andrew Garcia
Trustee / Parent Association Representative: Sam Freeman
Faculty / Alumni Representative: Roland Atema



Watch for more coverage in the coming hours and days.


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Relive Monday's election speech highlights

Here's a very, very abbreviated version of Monday's speeches, focusing on some of the funnier moments. There's some amazing stuff that had to get cut, so if people are interested we can post some more, but YouTube holds you to 10 minutes.



Andrew Garcia--overrepresented much? Oh well. :)
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Students on the campaign trail

It's just like the real election, only our trail starts and ends in Bradley Hall. :)

On Monday, students running for all school offices made their case to the student body. We'll put video of the speeches online shortly, but in the mean team, enjoy these photos. And remember: check back tonight to find out the results!

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Breaking: Vice-President Bellot Responds to the creation of OCDS

Editor's Note: The following article by Jared Bellot is in response to an earlier April Fools Day article: Student government deemed illegitimate and unconstitutional; splinter group establishes government in exile. This article makes little sense unless read in context, so we recommend reading the original article first.

Mr. and Ms. Beaver Reader readers,

Recently it came to my attention that a splinter cell “terrorist group” calling itself the OCDS has begun to challenge the legitimacy of the Wilmot-Bellot administration and the BCDS student council as a whole. Let it be known that in no way will the Beaver Student Council allow such danger inflicted on our beloved student body. Our goal as a governing body is to prevent regimes (terrorist) that sponsor terror from threatening Beaver Country Day School or our friends and allies with weapons of mass destruction and anti progressive values. Some of these regimes have been pretty quiet since their succession from the greater school on the first of April 2008. But we know their true nature. The OCDS is a regime arming with missiles and weapons of un-progressiveness, while starving its students of the knowledge and hands on learning which they crave oh so much.

The OCDS aggressively pursues these weapons and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the students and their hopes for freedom.

Groups like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, and a break away from our progressive values, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these anti-progressive learning values to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the humble and beautiful Beav. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic. Thank you, and remember, if we stop learning, the OCDS will win. Never stop learning. Never stop questioning. And so my fellow Beaver students, I leave you with these parting thoughts. In this time of great worry and danger for our school, remember, the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself, not the so called “OCDS” and their politics of fear.

Sincerely,

Jared Bellot
Vice President of BCDS Student Council
Adviser to President Wilmot + President Bush
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Student Council Update: Fundraisers

LIZ COBB '08

Student Council reunited this week after our two week vacation. The main topics of discussion were issues and hindrances relating to Student Council’s plans for the spring. The administration’s cooperation, as usual, is limited and slowing some of Student Council’s progress. However, we are working to find ways to compromise with the administration to solve the problems that were brought up at the meeting. The rest of the meeting was dedicated to brainstorming ideas for fundraisers. Though there is still money after the recent Fun Day, the senior student council members have no desire to leave next year’s group fiscally limited. We are planning to sell Beaver clothing and paraphernalia later this month.

As always, Student Council would love to hear your ideas. Please tell a member of Student Council if you have any suggestions or grievances, or come to our meetings at 8:00 on Tuesday mornings.

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BREAKING: Student government deemed illegitimate and unconstitutional; splinter group establishes government in exile

Early this morning, a splinter group calling itself “OCDS” announced its intention to challenge the legitimacy of the existing student government. It claims that the Wilmot administration has flagrantly ignored several crucial tenets of the Student Council Constitution. On these grounds, OCDS has declared the existing student government illegitimate, and moved forward with establishing a government in exile.

Among the claims made by OCDS in their press release are the following:

1. Article Five, governing modification and amendment of the Constitution, states: “Every year the current Student Council must review and vote to re-approve this constitution so that it remains an active document.” OCDS claims to have evidence that yearly reviews and re-ratifications are not taking place. The fact that the Constitution was drafted by the Student Council of the 1995–1996 school year and modified just once by the Student Council of 2002-2003 supports their position.

2. Article Five also states: “A copy of this document will be given to each member of Council at the start of the school year.” OCDS claims to have evidence that this is not happening.

3. Article Five concludes with: “Additionally, a copy will be posted prominently on the bulletin board of the main hallway of the school so the student body may view the rules and regulations their elected officials are subject to.” Even since far before the repainting, there appears to be no posted copy of the Constitution. (It is also inappropriate to end the sentence—and thus the entire Constitution—in a preposition.)

4. OCDS is furthermore adamant that the existing system of voting for student representatives, as laid out in Articles III and IV, is generally weak and suffers from a serious transparency deficiency, particularly concerning the meaningfulness of second- and third-place votes.

The press release asserts that these issues are not particular to any single administration, but endemic in the entire system.

In addition to rectifying the above grievances, OCDS has outlined several other goals:

1. To reverse the trend toward use of the initialism “BCDS” in place of “Beaver.”

2. To explore a strategic alliance with Beaver’s traditional ally the Chestnut Hill School in order to counteract Brimmer and May’s recent construction of fortified underground bunkers.

3. To increase funding to groups such the Science and Engineering Club for use in weapons and defense research projects.

While the provisional government currently lacks a head of state, OCDS has nominated minor celebrity and Beaver expatriate Rob Kotzen.

The current student government has yet to respond to the statements made by OCDS.
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Student Council Update: Senior night, "The Break Down," etc.

LIZ COBB '08

Student Council reconvened this Tuesday, February 12 after missing last week’s meeting to run the mock presidential primary. In the meeting, members organized Snack Shack for Friday’s four home games and matches (many seniors’ last home games). A group also worked on organizing and writing a proposal for a possible spring event. Additionally, we had check-ins with each grade to see how many grade events were going on. Jessica Amaizu, a member of the diversity committee came and spoke to us about future plans for a student led project called “The Break Down.” Student Council suggested and discussed its views on the project with Jessica.

As always, Student Council would love to hear your ideas. Please tell a member of Student Council if you have any suggestions or grievances, or come to our meetings at 8:00 on Tuesday mornings.

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Talent Show looks to become a Beaver tradition

EMILY BELOWICH '11

On Thursday, November 15th, the Beaver student body packed into Bradley Hall to come to Beaver’s first annual Talent Show. Organized by members of student council, this talent show was admittedly an attempt to increase Beaver’s insufficient school spirit. Initially, the organizers for the show were concerned about the level of success the show would bring, primarily because not many people signed up. However, after the performances, freshman class treasurer Kirsten Gute said, “It went really well; it was really enjoyable to watch. We did an awesome job organizing this!” Beaver’s spirit was definitely raised as they watched peers, classmates, friends, and even a teacher, participate in a variety of different talents.

While the whole school attended, only upper school students partook in the show. Such talents varied from Nat Harrington ’10 chanting twelve lines from the Iliad, Aeneid, and the Odyssey, to Raina Jacques ’09, singing a beautiful version of I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Theo Norton ’08 impressed the crowd with some neat yo-yo tricks, while Ben Jacobson ’09, Ben Patten ’09, and math teacher Kevin Bau rocked out on the bass and drums to The Beatles. During the show Bau comically stated that, although it was a student talent show, he felt like a “student of life.” Emcee Sam Packard ’08 got the crowd laughing with some jokes while students ran into technical difficulties.

In the end, however, Jeff Higgins ’08 walked away with a $100 Visa gift card for his outstanding piano composition entitled "Exceptional Life," dedicated to the memory of Alex Cohn ’07, who passed away last year. He also dedicated the song to other students from his old school, who died in the past few years. This talent show was a great success, and student council is looking forward to planning another one next year to start a Beaver tradition.

Image & video credit: Michael Firer '09
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Student Council Update: Harvest Homecoming, Talent Show, etc.

LIZ COBB

This week, Student Council continued planning for the fast approaching Harvest Homecoming. Unlike Harvest Fest in years past, Harvest Homecoming will have a greater emphasis on the games; however, the most drastic change will be the absence of grade fundraising. This year the administration has made large alterations to the fundraising process at Beaver. As of this year, classes and groups cannot fundraise without a specific purpose in hopes of bringing more money to the school. This change means some former fundraising events, such as Harvest Fest, must be reformed. However, financial help will still be granted to classes and groups that need it.

In student council, we also tried to work out some of the logistics of the talent show in November. Currently, we have set up a drop box on First Class so anyone can sign-up quickly and easily. To sign up, type in “Talent” and write your talent as the subject. The prizes, though still in discussion, are guaranteed to be coveted and valuable. This year we have a strong desire to make changes and organize events that the student body wants. We started thinking of ways to reconstruct Winter Carnival because the poll results showed a great interest in expanding it. One of the most discussed topics for the event was what Beaver apparel would be good to sell to raise money for future events. At the meeting, each grade gave an overview of any future plans for the grade and progress they had made during the past week. Other topics of discussion were future fundraisers as well as the possibility of painting murals in the cubbies.

As always, Student Council would love to hear your ideas. Please tell a member of Student Council if you have any suggestions or grievances, or come to our meetings at 8:00 on Tuesday mornings.
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