Student Council Presidential elections are coming! Let’s get to know the candidates.
Juniors Valerie Delahanty and Niko Rios have both been in the student council for the last three years and are running to be your next president.
Valerie Delahanty joined the student council her freshman year because she wanted to get more involved in our school community. The driving influence for her decision to join was the seniors around her.
Valerie said, “When I found out about StuCo, I knew this is where I was meant to be.”
Running for president means a lot to Valerie, giving her a chance to showcase and improve her leadership and public speaking skills, and to prioritize and help CHS students while maintaining a serious but fun environment. Valerie is determined to campaign and run for president. The process of making things happen and not letting negative thoughts get to you is stressful, but it is extremely exciting.
Her goals as president are to be the best she can be for CHS and to listen to the students’ wants and needs. Valerie strives to get more students involved and share ideas. A plan she has to put this in place is to use Advisory, where students would write out and submit ideas for assembly themes, spirit days, courtyard activities, etc. Valerie strives to hear and listen to any and every student’s ideas.
Valerie gives one piece of advice to the student body: “If you’re scared of going out of your comfort zone, do it because you may not have another opportunity like this again, go for it, you never know, it could change your life for the better. Everything happens for a reason.”
Niko Rios joined the student council in his freshman year because of recommendations from his sister. Niko’s sister was also a driving factor in his decision to run for president, as she had run for student council president at her school. Seniors from previous years also influenced his decision; they admired Niko’s leadership and ability to help others and advised him to use those skills and run for student council president. Niko plans to campaign through social media and word of mouth, using the slogan “Make Your Pick. Vote for Nick.” The running process is very detailed, including a video, popular vote, interview process, teacher recommendations, staff vote, and admin vote, creating a demanding but compelling experience for these candidates.
Niko’s goals include hosting more bonding events for the school, such as movie nights, dances, and other activities. Niko is determined to improve student life and increase school spirit, continuing to grow connections within our school community and student body. He will put these plans in place by coordinating with administration, creating social media publicity, and working with clubs across campus.
Both Niko and Valerie speak very highly of each other. Valerie described Niko as an amazing, hardworking person who loves the student council just as much as she does. She feels that she and Niko have both worked extremely hard and deserve the presidency equally.
Valerie said, “I’m wishing him nothing but the best as well, so if people happen not to vote for me, I know they will be in good hands with him, too.”
Niko also described Valerie as an amazing person who speaks up for what she believes in. Niko said, “She stands up for anybody.”
Valerie and Niko are both amazing candidates who are striving to make Chandler High School a better place in their own ways. Good luck, Valerie and Niko!
