Three students hope to be your Student Council President next school year, 2026-27. Voting will be conducted IN PERSON during history classes on Thursday, June 25. Winners will be announced during Morning Announcements and on The Boulevard Online on Friday, June 26. 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 three candidates made a short video and were asked three questions by the Journalism Club. Below are their videos and answers to the questions, unedited:

JAYSON FERRUFINO-REYES

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

What makes me the best candidate for this office is being focused, patient, and resilient. I believe I am more well known around the school as I have taken the initiative to start my very own business. Being more experienced in leadership and being more well known I believe these qualities hold value as this will assist me in office as I represent our student body. I have developed the ability to be responsible and organized, and open minded to the opinions of others.

• What will you do to make things better at Prep?

Being able to communicate with my fellow Student Council members and working as a whole in order to get things done is what will help things get better at Prep. Having a well organized Executive board is the first step to pushing better things at Prep. I plan on working closely with my Executive Board and with our Student Council Advisors to ensure we have fun events upcoming for next year. This would include my plan to try and organize a way our school has a chance at getting a SEL day once every month.

• What makes you a good leader?

I believe being the best candidate means being able to lead by example, and I believe that I hold those qualities as I have led by example through being the Chairperson of fundraising this year and being the Co-Chairperson of Fundraising during my first year in Student Council. While I have made many mistakes, I believe I have learned many lessons as this has enhanced my ability to lead and present myself the qualities needed to perform my duties at Prep. Having the experience and knowledge of having led, I believe I have what it takes to be a good leader.

ASHLY MANCEBO

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

I believe I am the best candidate for Student Council President because I am committed to putting the students first. I am someone who listens to others, takes their concerns seriously, and works hard to turn ideas into action. I don’t want to be president just for the title, I want to make a real difference in our school. Whether it’s advocating for more opportunities, improving our school environment, or making sure every student’s voice is heard, I will always work with the best interests of the student body in mind. I am ready to lead, represent our school with pride, and make Prep the best it can be.

• What will you do to make things better at Prep?

If elected, I want to focus on making Prep a more enjoyable and engaging place for students. I would work to make more field trips happen so students have opportunities to learn outside the classroom and create memorable experiences with their classmates. I also want to improve the appearance of our school by advocating for repainting areas that need it and making sure our school environment feels welcoming and something students can be proud of. In addition, I would like to have S E L days atleast once a month because mental health is real and it is serious and sometimes as students we need to just relax, reset, and comeback stronger!

• What makes you a good leader?

What makes me an exceptional leader is my ability to listen, communicate, and bring people together. I understand that being president is not about making decisions for students, it’s about working with students and representing their voices. I am extremely outspoken, approachable, responsible, and always willing to hear different opinions and ideas. I lead by setting a positive example, staying committed to my goals, and encouraging others to get involved. I am not afraid to take initiative when something needs to be done, and I will always work hard to make sure every student feels heard, valued, and represented. As Student Council President, I will be a leader who takes action, follows through on promises, and puts the concerns of other students first. 

AUDREY RODRIGUEZ

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

My roles in and out of school are what make me dependable, as well as a person everyone can reach out to in various situations. For someone to be president of the Student Council, they have to be committed to their role, be ready to take on major responsibilities, and have good communication with the rest of the executive board which I can see myself fitting in the description of! I have already had experience with being President of SGA in Upward Bound and have contributed to multiple service projects as previously treasurer while also being apart of Gardening Club and Tennis which have also helped me realize what role a team player contributes to a whole group.

• What will you do to make things better at Prep?

In PREP, I see so many events that the school partake in but some students don’t seem to have many connections with others to really enjoy it with. I want to highlight getting to know others and start with small events that allow for memories to be made and interactions! School should be more that just focusing on academic but being able to enjoy the day with someone by your side who you can talk to and help further growth as students.

• What makes you a good leader?

Being able to address issues that have been concerning and affecting students should be what a good leader does, being a good role model and taking the lead while also guiding others to follow the same path. Taking risks can be scary and wanting to run for President was one I took. But i also believe it was the best decision I made because I took notice of just how many people I had cheering and supporting me in my choice. I want to let others realize that even when some things seem impossible and nerve wrecking to do, it shouldn’t be out of your limits to take the chance at putting yourself out there.