Students are watching your every move as you walk through the halls, you are expected to come to the rescue for everyone as if you’re super man, and you are: the president.
The band, theatre, and student council organizations present the role as president to a student every year, but what does it take to be the president?
“They have to have a strong character,” history teacher Alejandro Garcia said. “Meaning they have to take care of their academics, they have to genuinely care about others and care about the school.”
Being president requires a lot of responsibility.
“It’s a lot of pressure sometimes because you know you are the representation of the organization as a whole,” senior Starlight Theatre Company president Lily Howard said.
The president is the face of the organization.
“I definitely have to be sure that I’m presenting myself as an appropriate, well meaning, eloquent, amazing Bowie student as my role as the president,” senior Student Council Co-President Eric Moe said.
Though it is a lot of work, they enjoy all the dedication needed.
“Being the President of the Student Council is a lot of hard work,” senior Student Council Co-President Powell Hinson said. “But it is very fulfilling when I see improvements in the school.”
Going to school can be difficult enough, but the presidents can’t just go home at 4:10 p.m.
“It’s a lot of commitment,” senior band president Riley Hamilton said. “I’m usually one of the last ones to leave rehearsal every day. I do whatever I can to help out and it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it.”
Their teachers respect these students as well.
“They have a very charismatic personality to where they are friendly to everybody,” Garcia said. “They are funny, they are personable, students respect them, and teachers respect them.”
Their teacher thinks very highly of them.
“Through their four years here at Bowie they have set a tone of excellence in the things that they’ve done,” Garcia said.
The experience of being president has improved these students.
“By being president, I have grown so much as a person and I hope that what I learn will help me later in life,” Hinson said.
People rely on the president to have all of the answers.
“So far this year I’ve learned that it’s okay to tell them that you don’t know,” Howard said. “That’s definitely something I’ve taken away from this experience, definitely open up about your uncertainty.”
Being the president means knowing what others will need of you.
“I’ve learned how to anticipate people’s needs before they actually ask you something,” Moe said.
Even though they are the leaders, they still had to start somewhere.
“I’ve learned a lot from the people who have lead me through my four years,” Hamilton said. “Everything I’ve learned from them, I’ve tried to apply in my own leadership position and those skills are going to stay with me forever.”
In order to run, the candidates must campaign.
“I worked really hard for this campaign,” Moe said. “I wanted it to be something that I was proud of whether I won or lost.”
For Moe, the election wasn’t all he was concerned about.
“I was very touched when people elected me to this position,” Moe said. “I definitely feel like I don’t want to let that energy stop there, it’s not just about the election, it’s about fulfilling your duties beyond that.”
While the student council holds elections for their positions, the theatre department has a different system.
“You’re not supposed to campaign for theatre so it’s like our campaign is your entire four years at Bowie,” Howard said.
Howard was unsure about running for president at first.
“My freshman year my sister was one of the presidents of the theatre company,” Howard said. “For a long time I didn’t know if I wanted to follow in her footsteps, but over the years through officer positions like my junior year, I realized that I was a natural leader.”
Along with leading, learning is a big aspect as well.
“The biggest life skill I’ve learned is delegation,” Howard said. “It makes your officers feel involved and it makes them feel like they have a part of your leadership.”
The learning experience involved helped them in their presidencies.
“I think that it has made me a better communicator and leader,” Hinson said. “Plus it has taught me that hard work goes a long way.”
These students not only impact the school, but teachers too.
“I think I’m a better teacher for having been able to teach them over the course of time I’ve had them,” Garcia said.