Elected student body government officials serve to form a bridge of communication between the teachers/faculty and the students. However, the school is taking this to the next level. This year, administration added a new position: two students from each of the seven grades ran for grade representative.
Elections for grade ambassadors took place during the first week of October. To run, candidates had to submit a one-page essay, meet a minimum GPA and have fewer than ten absences per semester last school year. On October 2, a meet-and-greet was held in the courtyard for students to get to know their potential class delegates.
On October 4, each grade elected two representatives, and the pair with the most votes won the positions. These winners were announced Monday, October 7. The 6th grade winners were Diego Rodriguez and Elektra Kouris for 6th grade, Jacob Picano and Olivia Sanchez for 7th grade, and Dhir Murpuri and Jorge Ortega for 8th grade. The elected high school representatives are Max Lapides and Lucia Bernal for 9th grade, Claudia Godoy and Olivia Dib for 10th grade, Andrea Prieto and Jaida Lewin for 11th grade, and Emmanuelle Eberwein and Camila Kouria for 12th grade.
The Director of Student Activities and SGA moderator, Ms. Genese Anderez, spearheaded the elections and shared the necessity for grade level representatives this year.
“Eighth graders don’t have the same needs and wants as seniors, and seniors don’t have the same needs and wants as sixth graders. So, administration and SGA decided to offer representation at the grade level,” said Anderez.
She also described how grade representatives will meet with the student government executive board and administration once a month to facilitate the transmission of pupils’ opinions to everyday school life.
Student Vania Di Bella is running for the position of a class representative in the 8th grade class. Di Bella shows determination and commitment to represent her class and listen to her peers respectfully. When asked what motivated her to run, Di Bella shared her main focus, “to make this year the best yet and the most memorable.” If elected as class representative, Di Bella said, “I would speak for my grade to bring color wars to school.” It is an exciting event that many representatives are pushing for.
Excited to see changes in her grade, Alexia Prugue (8) was asked about her opinions on the candidates. When asked why she voted for Vania Di Bella and Layla Alverez, she said, “I am voting for them because they are my best friends, are smart, and are in all honors classes.” Since eighth grade is such an important year, she looks forward to someone smart yet funny representing her grade.
Similarly, Jaida Lewin (11), an eleventh-grade class representative candidate, said, “I have a lot of ideas to tell student government and administration.” This position will allow her to voice her grade’s opinions, speaking up for those who can’t. When asked why this position is important for our school, Lewin said, “It allows each grade to have a say in what happens, and it is more uniting, and it will set us up for success.” People lack bonding in most grades, but having to communicate with each other creates a better classmate relationship.
Student government consists of students who take on responsibilities such as organizing activities and implementing new policies at their school. Their ultimate goal is to make school a more enjoyable experience for their peers. At Riviera, the student council or SGA, includes positions for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and spirit chair—and now two representatives per grade.
