Pictured here are the various digital poster designs advertising the campaigns of Secretary of Athletics nominee Jonathan Valot (11) and newcomer Avery White (11). Although Valot, an ASB veteran, seemed poised to retain his position, he was ultimately succeeded by White. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Valot and Avery White.
Pictured here are the various digital poster designs advertising the campaigns of Secretary of Athletics nominee Jonathan Valot (11) and newcomer Avery White (11). Although Valot, an ASB veteran, seemed poised to retain his position, he was ultimately succeeded by White. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Valot and Avery White.

The 2023 – 2024 ASB Election Results Are In

Philip Lam, Editor-in-Chief

May 1, 2023

   In an official post via Instagram, the West High Associated Student Body (ASB) announced Friday, April 14 the winners of the 2023-2024 ASB Elections, which ran from April 11 – 13. The campaign season, which kicked off about two weeks before polls opened, culminated in multiple unopposed victories despite an unexpected success in the upper echelons of the ASB establishment.

   Micah Taw (11), who ran unopposed this election cycle, is confirmed to be next year’s ASB President alongside his Vice-Presidential running-mate, Karsen-Reese Takenaka (11). Taw hoped to “lead with integrity and make decisions based on what is right, best, and fair,” expressing his commitment to making “our next school year enjoyable and memorable for every student.” As the ASB President, Taw will delegate all school events and collaborate with each grade level “to make sure all events run smoothly.” 

   The winners of the 2023-2024 ASB Elections are as follows, with an asterisk (*) denoting unopposed races:

    • Senior Class President Milani Vo (11)*
    • Senior Class Vice-President Chloe Kang (11)*
    • Senior Class Historian Jordan Seiler (11)*
    • Junior Class President Angie Quiroz (10)*
    • Junior Class Vice-President Hannah Takasaki (10)*
    • Junior Class Historian Kelsie Lee (10)*
    • Sophomore Class President Chelsea Lee (9)*
    • Sophomore Class Vice-President Angelina Sun (9)
    • Sophomore Class Historian Allen Martinez (9)*
    • Secretary of Athletics Avery White (11)
    • Secretary of Fine Arts Danielle Wissler (11)*

   In addition to a popular election, several positions were offered through an interview process. Next year’s secretarial positions are as follows:

    • Secretary of Business Kiara Harasaki (11)
    • Secretary of Communications Sadie Hopkins (11)
    • Secretary of Correspondence Gracie Ito (11)
    • Secretary of ICC Sriya Sthothrabhashyam (10)
    • Returning Secretary of Multimedia Kyungsan Kim (10)
    • Secretary of Publicity Breanna Corral (11)
    • Secretary of Spirit Cameron Merendo (10)
    • Cabinet members Julia Downing (10), Danielle McClain (11), and Paris Rudison (11)

   Positions for incoming freshmen will be held in local elections at Bert Lynn and Jefferson Middle School, with the winners of each becoming next year’s Freshman Class Co-Presidents.

   Perhaps the most competitive race seen this election cycle was for the Secretary of Athletics. Avery White (11) won the tight race against incumbent Jonathan Valot (11) and a third contender, Ainsley Paulson (11). This being White’s first time in West High’s ASB, the dark horse candidate noticeably shook up initial projections.

   White, who ran on the platform of ensuring that “all the sports feel like they’re getting equal representation” and “promoting [the West High] Olympics even more,” employed a comprehensive campaign to win the popular vote. Embodying the charisma and affability of the Secretary of Athletics, White campaigned on the slogan of “Go Crazy for Avery,” believing that “[she] should be a person that can speak to people and [be] comfortable going around and asking people to vote for [her].” The newcomer attributed her success to students circulating her posters around campus as well as “a lot of people repost[ing her] Instagram.” Not to mention, White received hefty endorsements from West High’s swim and soccer teams.

   As the incumbent Secretary of Athletics facing two contenders, Valot ran a more aggressive reelection campaign, promulgating “Instagram posts over the break . . . that [had] more variety” and distributing printed posters around campus, with the quads furnishing “about 20 posters” each. Valot hoped that his strategy of mass-circulation would reach more voters, expressing that printed material “is more professional . . . where you can just post 50 posters” hassle-free as opposed to the tedium of producing “only 10 [hand-drawn] posters” that are less likely to be seen by a sizable student population. A seven year representative of Student Council since fourth grade, Valot ran on the platform of “mak[ing] sure the recognition is done properly” for sports teams as well as “improv[ing] the quality . . . and time management of [school] events.”

   Furthermore, Valot touted that his long track-record serving in ASB “vastly outnumber[ed] anyone else’s,” and that his reelection would facilitate sporting events and rallies since he “know[s] everything in advance and it’s going to be much easier to plan.” Nevertheless, as Valot enters his lame-duck period, White saw her breakup of the establishment as beneficial; the freshman colleague hoped that she can “improve [ASB] from an outside perspective.”

   With the 2023 – 2024 ASB Elections inaugurating a diverse array of students into office, it seems next school year will be the most anticipated one yet.

 

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