At the start of the new school year, Southern Lehigh students take part in class officer elections. Freshman, sophomore, and junior students have the opportunity to run for their desired position and get voted on by their peers. Each grade is in charge of electing their own four officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
The advisors for each grade — high school teachers Mrs. Danika Wall, Mr. Casey Cooperman, Mrs. Stephanie Donald, and Mrs. Courtney Bathgate — have worked hard to ensure all classes have their candidates and the voting forms.
“I am looking for someone who is a leader among their peers in character, academics, and extracurricular activities,” freshman class advisor Mrs. Wall said.
The advisors want students running for office to demonstrate the right qualities and traits to be great candidates. Mrs. Wall regrets that only one student can become an officer for each position, because she feels that everyone shows promise.
“It is important to me that the people who fill these positions know how to work efficiently and get the job done, while also being kind and respectful to their peers,” she said.
Mrs. Wall also loves being a class advisor.
“I love working with students and helping them bring their ideas to life,” Mrs. Wall said. “I feel strongly that high school should be four years of making memories with classmates, and I want to help create those lifelong memories.”
According to past student officers, the prom venue is by far the most fun and important event of the year. Mrs. Wall said that high school principal Mr. Joshua Miller has approved a winter dance as a fundraiser. The profits from this dance are one of the many plans in place to raise money for prom.
“Last year my favorite part was the fundraisers we did, because there was a very high turnout and we raised a lot of money,” said junior class president P.J. Clauser. “This year is definitely going to be exciting because we get to plan prom.”
Clauser has been the Class of 2026 president since freshman year. She is determined to raise enough money this year for a successful prom.
As Mrs. Wall said, students need to have specific characteristics to make great officers. Those who execute these qualities are voted on by their peers to take office.
“I love to lead and I am very interested in leading people,” said Clauser. “I think the most important quality would be experience and being able to adjust if someone does not agree with something.”
Class of 2028 president, Sarah Tapler, agrees that being a class officer opens up exciting opportunities.
“I look forward to hosting fundraisers, and I really want to start saving up for our senior year so we could go on a class trip with no cost,” Tapler said. “I’ve always felt like I have leadership skills, …and I feel like my ideas could just make everyone have a nice time. I also feel like I can express my ideas clearly to others.”