ASB President Candidate: Ryan Chien

“Trust your yen with Ryan Chien.” Three years ago, this slogan could be heard throughout the hallways of Samo, creating the foundation of Ryan Chien’s (’19) pathway to ASB president candidacy. While some may say that it’s Chien’s destiny to become the third Chien ASB president at Samo -- brother Dean Chien (’16) in 2016, and father John Chien (’63) in 1963 -- his qualifications and dedication to ASB surpass the initial “We can win again with Ryan Chien” student body mentality.  Starting as Class of 2019 Treasurer in his first year in ASB in 2016, Chien moved up to ASB Treasurer in last year’s ASB elections. This year he has high aspirations for his possible ASB presidency.  “By running for ASB president, my main goal is to bring a voice back to the larger student body and help integrate others into the Samo community. I’ve noticed that there is no opportunity as of now for students to be part of the voting process when it comes down to deciding themes of rallys, dances, spirit days, etc.,” Chien said. “ASB makes these decisions, which represents only a part of the 3,000+ students on campus. I decided to run because I want to help bridge this gap and incorporate everyone in a school-wide voting process so students are more involved in deciding what they want to see changed.” However, his motivations for running for ASB president aren’t the only plans he hopes to execute if elected.  “If elected, I want to immediately implement school polling apps or websites to open up surveys so the students have a voice in ASB’s decision making. This means that the first move I’ll take while in office is opening up every rally and dance theme, spirit days and potential events to the polls for every student to vote on. Not only that but I also want to create an app of some sort to help open up the opportunity for students to speak directly to ASB. Whether it’s advocating for public awareness campaigns to promoting and publicizing more heritage months through showcasing different cultures on campus, I want students to feel open in telling ASB what they would like to see. No idea is too far fetched, and in creating a polling system, maybe we can have more innovative ideas like a Meme spirit day or Star Wars themed rally,” Chien said. “As ASB president I will advocate for and help unify the students, because if there’s one goal I want to accomplish the most, it is to give every student the quintessential Samo experience in embracing all facets of the school.” While ASB is his main focus, Chien also has a busy schedule elsewhere. “I am part of a wide variety of clubs, including Ted-Ed Samo, Heal the Bay Club, O House Advisory and Junior Steering. Within school I am also apart of the Delians Honor Society and Academic Decathlon,” Chien said. “As part of the Santa Monica community, I volunteer for our local Santa Monica Pier Aquarium three and a half hours every Sunday.” As a Delians officer, among his other leadership positions, Chien is well qualified to lead our student body.  “I will be a good leader because I always look in the best interest of the majority student body before mine. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am always open to new ideas. In my positions involving leadership, I have learned key skills in communicating and listening to what others have to say,” Chien said. “In my opinion, being ASB president will mean nothing if I can’t say by the end of the year that I helped satisfy the most amount of students on campus in giving them the voice they deserve.” In addition to his apt for leadership and a long arm span of the student body he communicates with on a daily basis, Chien is excited for the upcoming election on Friday and hopes that no matter what, the student body will recognize his qualifications for leading and his dedication to the student body.  “ASB elections are important because the students are directly voting for who they want to represent them in the effort of unifying all of Samo. When voting, one should always look at qualifications and vote on who they feel is truly the best candidate in leading the student body. Although this is really the only time for the school to vote collectively on a decision, as president I will make more opportunities for students to vote on matters throughout the year that they care most about,” Chien said.