Meet the 2016-17 SGA!
Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 5:12 PM
By: Sonal Mahindroo
On May 26th, sophomores had the opportunity to run for officer positions in the Student Government Association. Everyone who ran spent a tremendous amount of time and effort campaining, delivering speeches, and interviewing with the current SGA members, Mrs. Siter, and Mr. Meehan. The results were announced the next day.
Congratulations to our 2016-2017 SGA members! These are the winners (and a little bit about each officer):
Co-Presidents:
I’ve always wanted to be on SGA so that I can really make a positive difference in our school. In my eyes, Biotech is a great environment, but I feel like we can make it even better! The students of this school deserve to smile, even in the midst of challenging classes and a bunch of clubs, activities, and sports. Over these past two years at Biotech, I’ve been involved in everything from open houses to orientation. I’ve also helped develop several clubs and have even had various leadership positions in them, so I know a lot about what the students want, and I’d love to bring that to the table. My main focus would be to improve interdistrict relations; I’d like to have an in-school dance or competitions between the schools.
Who was your celebrity crush growing up?
Zac Efron.
If you could pick any subject to have an extra block of, what would it be?
Probably biotechnology; I really love that class!
If you could be any Kardashian, who would you be and why?
Khloe! She seems so real, and whenever anyone else says something stupid, she doesn’t hesitate to call them out.
I’m super excited to be a part of the SGA! This school has given me such a great experience my freshman and sophomore years, and I want to be able to replicate that, especially for the incoming freshmen (and of course, for everyone else who goes to Biotech). I talk to most people in this school, and I know what they want to change. Now that I have a role in SGA, I’m really going to try and make those changes.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
When people tell me I can’t do something, because that just makes me work harder to do it.
If you had the opportunity, which world problem would you eliminate first and why?
I would change the way that people see themselves. Once everyone realizes their individual potential, they can be so much more productive.
What’s the worst advice you’ve received about high school and who was it from?
Before coming here, my cousins told me that high school “didn’t matter” and tried to get me to be apathetic towards Biotech.
Club Representative:
I want to be club rep because clubs make me realize how much myself and everyone else around me can do for this school. My goal is to get students to be passionate about their interests and really pursue them through clubs in Biotech. Whether it’s participating in clubs, having a leadership role in clubs, or starting their own clubs, every single student deserves to be actively involved in anything and everything they want to be. I’m now presented with the opportunity to work with a lot of really interesting people in SGA and do a lot of really great things. I like clubs.
If you could become one other person in our school for a day, who would it be?
Mr. Fusco.
If you were stranded on an island and could only bring one member of SGA with you, who would it be?
Gurshan because he’s a big, strong man.
If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be and why?
Caramel mocha because I love the that shade of brown and it reminds me who I am.
PSFA Representative:
I’ve wanted be on SGA because I really love to help the school, whether it be through volunteering for open houses or attending all of the different events we have, and I want to give back to a place that’s done so much for me. I think I’m perfect for the PSFA position because I can work really well with adults and I have lots of ideas that I want to implement. I’m really excited for the coming school year and can’t wait to work with everyone!
Which department do you think should be given the most money and why?
Probably the the science department, since it costs a lot of money to buy and maintain all of the amazing lab equipment and facilities that we have.
If you had a time machine that could only work once, would you go to the future or the past, and why?
I would go to the future to see how my life would turn out, and if there’s anything that I should change, I would fix it.
If you had the power to change one thing about this school, what would it be?
I would let people eat food wherever they want, not just the MPR.
Sophomore/Senior Representative:
I ran for SGA so that I would be able to help out and communicate with the sophomore and senior grades and represent them in the best way that I can. I really want to be able to get to know all of their opinions and ideas and implement them.
If you were selected for Miss America, what would you do for the talent section?
I would probably dance.
If you were stranded on an island, what would be your top priority; food and water, shelter, or clothing?
Food and water.
Would you rather fence with Mr. Shafaie, workout with Mr. Fusco, or do yoga with Mrs. Alvarez?
I would workout with Mr. Fusco.
Freshman/Junior Representative:
I think that I’m a good fit for this position because I am a good face for the junior class. Also, I can easily represent the freshmen by talking to them and getting to know what they want. Now that I’m elected, I’ll make sure that any event that the SGA is responsible for is carried out as it should be and I’ll coordinate and work with the other SGA members to really get things done. I’ll communicate with the class councils and relay information to the SGA so that we can have fun events and fundraising opportunities for both the freshmen and the juniors.
Would you rather play in Mr. Hercek’s band, travel to Costa Rica with Ms. Lamp, or go on a bike ride with Dr. O on his tandem bicycle?
Definitely visit Costa Rica with Ms. Lamp.
If you were an animal which animal would you be and why?
I’d probably be a fish that lives in coral reefs because coral reefs are sweet.
You’re at a dance and you’re trying to impress someone. What’s the first dance move you do?
I guess I can do the robot.
Communication Liaison Chair:
I’m looking forward to being a part of the SGA because it allows me to help Biotechnology High School in a meaningful way. I can help underclassmen understand what Biotech is really like through freshman orientation and information sessions, and that means a lot to me since Biotech has given me so much.
If you could play any instrument, what would you play?
The oboe.
If you were to have a Sweet 16, what would your theme be?
The Great Gatsby.
What’s your favorite part about attending Biotech?
The cleanliness of the labs...oh! And the teachers!
Directors of Student Affairs:
I’d like to be a part of SGA so that I can help the school and the student body even more. I had a really great experience planning Biotech’s very first BNO inside out. Now that I have a role in SGA, I want to improve freshmen orientation and open houses by getting more student opinions and communicating with the students to see what changes they want to see being made.
What’s the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?
Probably foie gras, but it’s not that weird.
If money and time didn’t exist, what would you be doing right now?
Probably sleeping, to be honest.
Of all of the places you have lived and visited, which place do you like the best
I’m fine with my current residence.
Kaitlyn Casey:
Ever since I first came to see this school at one of the open houses, I saw that SGA pretty much ran the whole thing. And in freshman orientation, they were the people who I looked up to since they seemed so cool and official. Ever since then, I wanted to be one of those people who gets to make it an even better environment than it already is, and I knew I wanted to join SGA. I’ve participated in several freshman orientations and open houses, and I’m really excited about being able to have a bigger part in those. Hopefully, I can make this school a better and more positive place for everyone!
What’s your favorite part about living in Monmouth County?
I love going to the beach!
What is the one thing you miss about being a kid?
I had much more of a social life and I used to read non-school related books a lot more.
If you had to give up one of your sense, what would it be and why?
Probably smell; I don’t like bad smells because they give me a headache.
Once again, congratulations to everyone who won! These nine sophomores will be be officially inducted into SGA the winter of their junior year by the current SGA members (Courtney Bryan, Arjun Gupta, Peter Nekrasov, Niko Fotopoulos, Alison Pagalilauan, Varsha Garla, Emily Bekampis, Thomas Lehan, and Nate Byrnes). Good luck in office next year!