More than just a class president
If you attended KHS as a freshman, a common memory is walking in on the first day. With fear already in your heart, becoming overwhelmed entering KHS yet accepted as the incoming senior class threw everything from leis to silly string at you. Hearing immense cheering as they welcomed you to the next four years of your life. On the other side of those hands, however, were not only the senior class but dedicated members of the senior class office. These 10 students spent countless hours making sure that morning ran smoothly. Starting in August, Jared Goudsmit, senior and president of class office, and his fellow class officers begin to work through what will be the most demanding part of the school year.
“Our [top priority] are, number one, ensuring that the hallway and Freshman Day are organized effectively with other events our class decides to take responsibility for,” Goudsmit said. “I’m there to organize and make sure nothing collapses.”
They begin conversations about planning, designing and upcoming events, such as Freshman Day and Turkey Day. They hold meetings to discuss items such as themes, building hallway decorations and voting. According to Goudsmit, although Turkey Day and Freshman Day are their two main priorities, they wish to expand their immediate responsibilities, such as some of the activities Student Council handles. Seeing as the main difference between the two is that student council represents the entire school and class office stands for their particular grade level. However, they wish to blur those lines a bit and help the whole school as well as their particular grade.
“[Class office] definitely wants to get more involved in activities that in the past have been left to Student Council,” Goudsmit said. “[Student councils’] hands are very capable ones. We have felt we should not interfere in the past, but that’s not to say we can’t provide some helping hands [this year].”
According to, Romona Miller, senior class principal and supervisor of Class office, along with helping out the school Class Office wishes to help out the community. This is something Class Office has not necessarily done in the past but hopes to do more in the future.
“Something that I am really proud that we are doing is we are taking half of our proceeds from the [profit] from prom and donating it to the special olympics at the highschool,” Miller said. “I would also like to find other things for us to help out with whether it be in the district or the community.”
According to Ryan Sweeney, senior and vice-president of class office, class officers have many responsibilities that go deeper than simple activities. They must uphold certain values such as responsibility, respect and integrity in order to portray the persona of a class officer. They work to maintain those standards every day said Sweeny.
“Beyond the obvious responsibilities of class office, [an officer needs] to be a leader in your grade,” Sweeney said. “[To be a leader, it’s important to] always be responsible. Be the person who knows what they’re doing, and is doing the right thing, because you’re being looked [up to] by others.”
The experience has taught students about important lessons that they will use all through their schooling, as well as their personal lives, according to Eli Boshara, senior class officer. He said they have learned important skills such as communication, leadership and much more through their time in class office.
“I have definitely become a better public speaker,” Boshara said. “I’ve learned how to become more decisive when making decisions, and I’ve learned how to plan and lead. I think those skills are beyond just college. I think those are great life skills.”
According to Goudsmit, reaching their fourth year of high school, class officers have put in countless hours into helping the KHS student body. Goudsmit said it has all been worth it. For Sweeney and other officers, they feel that class office benefits them more than just something to put on a resume or job application.
“It has developed me as a person a lot,” Sweeney said. “I’m happy with my experience with class office because I truly believe it [has] made me a better person.”
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