While elections for every other grade occur in the spring, Oratory has traditionally held its ninth grade elections in the fall, so the new students have a say in who their class leaders will be. This year, in a record field of ten candidates, Cole Noss was elected as the CEO in a stunning upset, with Conor Maenpaa, Nick Looney, and Alex Felitto being elected as representatives. I interviewed each one of them right after the elections to get to know their thoughts on the election.

Cole Noss- CEO

What inspired you to run for Student Council?
I was originally inspired to run for student council in 6th grade of my middle school. A lot of my friends wanted to have dances and such and I felt the need to represent them. From that point on I enjoyed it and continued to run for office in the following years.

What are your ideas to better the student body?
My ideas were largely represented in my speech and town hall answers but to sum it up I think that taking ideas from all the students about what they want to be accomplished and prioritizing from that point would better the grade most.

Any thoughts you would like to convey to your classmates and the school at large?
I hope we have a great year working together.

Alex Felitto – Representative

What inspired you to run for Student Council?
I was inspired by my brother and encouraged by my family to run. I have had experience In student council before and I know how fun it can be.

What are your ideas to better the student body?
I really believe student activity and participation is a big part of what I want to do. I think we need to have more special events to help encourage students to go to sporting events and support our teams and have school spirit.

Any thoughts you would like to convey to your classmates and the school at large?
I want my classmates to know that I will do my best to speak for them. I will be their voice and will try to make their time better here at OP.

Nick Looney – Representative

What inspired you to run for Student Council?
I’ve always had a penchant for leadership. Not being in control or in power, but being able to inspire and guide. I wanted to make Oratory better for everyone.

What are your ideas to better the student body?
First of all, the rerun of Gatorade. I also hope to get things done that my classmates have asked for, such as cleaner bathrooms and more OP hosted events. I also discussed with several students about making more use of the video game consoles that were in our old cafeteria. I know that video game club is already a thing, but wouldn’t it be cool if an after-school use of the consoles was permitted? I also want to further the communication and connection between student council and the student body, because I feel that is very important.

Any thoughts you would like to convey to your classmates and the school at large?
Oratory, I look forward to serving you, especially my brothers in the 9th grade. I want to bring us all closer together, and one of the best years ever at Oratory Prep. Thank you for electing me, and I won’t let you down! Go Rams.

Conor Maenpaa – Representative

What inspired you to run for Student Council?
I wanted to run simply because I was on the Student Council prior to the elections, and I wanted to be the servant of the 9th grade and for that matter all students in our school.

What are your ideas to better the student body?
I want to simply upgrade things around our school and to bring innovative ideas to Oratory as I feel I have done in the past.

Any thoughts you would like to convey to your classmates and the school at large?
I just want my grade and the school to know that I will always defend them, the student body, as a whole, and I will always be beside them throughout my term.

I would like to congratulate everyone who ran in the election, with special thanks to my outgoing colleague, Peter Ainsworth, who served as Lower School CEO and Interim Freshman CEO and sets a wonderful precedent of leadership by example for his successors. The school has exciting days ahead of it, especially with OP’s newest team of leaders.