Four students hope to be your Student Council President next school year, 2025-26. Voting will be conducted IN PERSON during history classes on Thursday, June 19, in the Media Center. Only high school students, including seniors, are eligible to vote.  Send questions or comments to Mr. Figueroa at [email protected] or Mr. Weaver at [email protected].

All four candidates made a short video and were asked three questions by the Journalism Club. Below are their videos and answers to the questions, unedited:

CHASTITY CLAUDIO MILLER

• What makes you the best candidate for Student Council President?

I believe being the best Student Council Candidate means being determined, organized, hard-working, and balanced. I do believe that I have these qualities and more. Not only have I previously been in such positions in which I’ve had to lead, an example being, me acting as Co-Chairperson of Student Activities my freshman year and being the Secretary Treasurer during my sophomore year, but I have experienced in my daily life and other clubs where I’ve had to step up and take on responsibilities. This is shown through the growth I have made throughout highschool. I’m not afraid to learn from my mistakes and I know when to take criticism which would only enhance my leading. While I am still experiencing new things just the same as everyone else, I’m willing to learn and grow from it and take those experiences whether good or bad and turn them into something I know I can be proud of. I don’t think of myself as the best amongst other student council candidates, but I do have faith in myself and I know I’m a great candidate. I hope I have the opportunity to prove that I can be the leader with resilience and creativity that you need.  

• What improvements would you bring to Prep?

Prep needs a fresh new coat of paint. Maybe literally, but figuratively, we need a change. I see the difficulties that new coming highschoolers face which only affect their future with the school. Issues such as bullying, complaints against detentions and the overall lack of school spirit detrimentally negatively affect the outcome of students who are able to give 100%. In the future, I plan to discuss changes within the school, starting with bullying. It’s not talked about much anymore, but the amount of middle schoolers that return to Prep still with the same bullies only progress into worse results. This leads to the negative energy roaming around the school like a cloud of darkness student’s can’t get away from. Not only the changes within the way we inform students at Prep about bullying, but changes within our school spirit. There have been promises of more school spirit, and while some attempts have succeeded, none have really lasted. I believe this is because students are doing activities with their friends, but they aren’t actually gaining a bond with other classmates. The overall future for Prep is something that I’m constantly worrying about, especially with my upcoming senior year and the incoming freshmen. 

• How will you foster a community spirit at Prep?

Prep needs more people to interact with each other. There are obvious groups that stick together, but what’s the harm in branching out a bit and making new friends? Maybe it’s the socialite in me, but I get so happy meeting new people. Even just a compliment a day to a random stranger could make their day. We need unity now more than ever, we need to be a family again. Spirit weeks bring school spirit, but why can’t showing someone kindness everyday do that too? Many of us do understand this, and while there are quiet students, I believe that getting people out of their shell would really enhance school spirit and the energy we walk into everyday when we go through our school doors. Sticking together is what’s important and we need to start by truly knowing and understanding each other. 

MARIALIS MORETA

• What makes you the best candidate for Student Council President?

What makes me the best Student Council candidate is that I care for the school endlessly. The school matters to me because, having been in PREP since 6th grade, I’ve grown such close connections with everyone around me. Of course, the most important connection I’ve grown is my connection with the school itself. I am deeply passionate about creating a happy environment for everyone here at PREP. Where everyone feels understood, valued, cared for, and important! I adore making positive changes for the school, every improvement benefits future students who will attend this school, just as I once did. As President, I have the potential to further foster these positive changes, and hence, foster positive changes for the students!

• What improvements would you bring to Prep?

One of the improvements I would love to bring to PREP would be an improvement on communication between the Student Council and the students. It has come to my attention, during my three years of being in Student Council, that students may not be aware of important developments that occur during our meetings. Some students believe that nothing really happens in the Student Council. However, we are one of the most important student-based clubs in the City of Passaic because of how hard we work to make our school a better place. We have a tireless work ethic, striving to fill our school with fun events and meaningful decorations that make our school feel like home to all. Therefore, as President, it will be one of my goals to ensure that students are always well-notified of all the important news and events that are transpiring!

• How will you foster a community spirit at Prep?

As President, I will foster a community spirit within our school by becoming more receptive to the ideas and suggestions of all students. Many students have wonderful ideas that, if contributed to the Student Council, have the potential to create great change here in PREP. However, many students may not know how to share their ideas, or may just be too shy to present them at all, which leads to missed opportunities for change. The Student Council should always be aware of how all students are feeling about our school, so that we can adjust and improve for their benefit and happiness. Aside from ideas students may have, they may also have questions or concerns that may go unheard or unanswered. For that reason, I will always aim to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, and every concern is addressed.

LINA POPOCA-SOSA

• What makes you the best candidate for Student Council President?

A trait that makes me the best Student Council President candidate is teamwork. I am a strong believer that things will most likely run more smoothly if people work together to plan an event or solve an issue. With good teamwork comes great communication. I always make sure that people are aware of what changes are being made or if there are any updates. If I were elected, I’d make sure I work with not only the executive board, but also with the whole school, because everyone deserves a chance to be heard.

• What improvements would you bring to Prep?

An improvement I would bring to Prep if elected would be more school spirit. I’m hoping I can encourage people to be proud of who they are and what school they represent. I want students to “Wear purple with pride” and to confidently say, “I am a Prep student.” I want to expand the trustworthy environment and I will try my best to encourage others to take big steps in their high school careers.

• How will you foster a community spirit at Prep?

With the hopeful return of our auditorium, I’m hoping to improve school events. I know I love pep rallies because grades come together and compete against each other. I am also excited to bring Prep productions back to the auditorium and hope that students can support each other. I also want to bring new events such as trivia nights and talent shows. Events that bring our school together will be my way of fostering a community spirit at Prep.

MARIA HERNANDEZ

• What makes you the best candidate for Student Council President?

I’m younger than the other candidates running for president. This gives me more time than the others to make any improvements in the way I do things. I’m also quite passionate about what I do. What I mean by that is, when I put my mind to something, I put my all no matter how much work it is. I’m also able to grow alongside my fellow classmates and I think that gives me an advantage against the other candidates since they are rising seniors.

• What improvements would you bring to Prep?

While I feel like prep has improved a lot through the years, I would try to make the things we have better and if my fellow classmates see something they think should be improved, I’ll do my absolute best to grant them those wishes.

• How will you foster a community spirit at Prep?

I will organize more events that involve the school as a whole to participate and will make sure to ask for student opinion before creating the event to make sure that at least a good amount of students agree on what the event would be about or what it would represent.