Today, I am interviewing Tyler Barrows, a junior who is running for Student Council president. As the elections approach, he will tell us his motivations to run this year and his goals and ideas if he becomes president for the next school year.
1. What encouraged you to run for Student Council president this year?
Two things primarily encouraged me to run for president for the upcoming school year. For one, I love the Oratory community, and really hope to make a difference/improve upon it myself in some capacity. Two, I enjoy taking on leadership roles, and think this would be a great opportunity for me.
2. What has prepared you to take on a leadership position like this?
Both before and during my time at Oratory, I have held a variety of leadership positions in clubs. In middle school, I was the Treasurer and Vice President of the National Junior Honor Society. At Oratory, I am the President of the International Club, and a Governing Board member for the St. Philip Neri Club – the largest club at OP.
3. Is there anything you would change about Oratory right now?
If I could change something right now, it would probably be the food items that are offered in the cafeteria and in the vending machines. I’d be willing to make up a survey, which the whole student body would have the ability to fill out, and then coordinate with DPG and the vending machine company to make changes to the current offerings based on the survey responses.
4. What are your main goals to aim towards if you are elected?
If elected, my main goal is to improve the overall student experience at Oratory. This would be done by making improvements to the classroom, as we look to place computer chargers in each classroom, and cafeteria experience (mostly through lunch and snack items), while also trying to increase the amount of fun and/or different events we offer throughout the year.
5. How will you represent the different interests of all the students here at OP?
Zav and I will be able to represent the different interests of all students at OP pretty easily. As we are both in the band, we get to engage with the underclassmen, including the middle schoolers, which means that our “public outreach” is rather broad. This will allow us to really get a good sense of what the different grade levels are looking to get out of their time at OP.
6. How will you encourage the community to participate in events?
Zav and I will do our best to publicize different events / offerings at OP. As someone that uses Canva, I will be more than willing to make appealing posters to try and increase participation in events. Of course, we will also be sure to talk up events during morning announcements and when we see people around campus.
7. Do you have anything else you want to say to the Oratory community?
If I had to leave the Oratory community with a message, it would be that Zav and I are really committed to making YOUR experience better, and that we aren’t just “idea guys,” but are willing to put in the work to make things happen for YOU.
A huge thanks to Tyler for taking the time to answer these questions. If you like his ideas, be sure to vote for him during the election. Good luck to him and everyone else running for student council!
