Meet this year’s ASB executive board

By Jadyn Miyahira, Staff Writer

Mateo Marquez: ASB President

Mateo Marquez (’21), Samo’s newly elected ASB president, is looking ahead at a bizarre year without his daily announcements on the loudspeaker or the usual theater productions he partakes in.

As president, it is inevitable that Marquez will face many responsibilities this year. Not only is it up to him to make connections with various groups on campus, including club leaders, administration and principal Antonio Shelton, but he also runs the ASB class as a whole. Now in distance learning, his role is definitely taking some adjusting. 

There are not many on-campus events that are taking place anymore; instead, most events are taking place via Zoom. Although some students may miss in-person events such as pep rallies and school dances, Marquez feels that the lack of in-person event planning has allowed him to focus more on individual projects and events, such as Samo’s recent homecoming spirit week.

“One positive that has come out of this is I've been able to be more directly involved in the planning of events,” Marquez said. 

As a leader, Marquez understands how difficult it is right now for Samo students. However, he is staying positive and encourages students to try to find the spirit to participate in the events ASB organizes.

“Even as much of a drag online school is, we’re trying our best and we’re working really hard to make it fun,” Marquez said. 

Mia Wachtel: Vice President 

Mia Wachtel (’21), an active member in the Samo community, has been a part of ASB since seventh grade. Now elected as Samo’s vice president, she has a plethora of responsibilities falling on her shoulders this year. 

Outside of ASB, Wachtel has been a part of Samo’s mock trial and participated in Youth and Government in previous years. After being elected as vice president at the beginning of this semester, a multitude of unprecedented routines have presented themselves to her as an effect of distance learning.

As vice president, one of Wachtel’s jobs is to oversee class cabinets—making sure they get their fundraisers done on time, supporting them when they organize events and helping them make connections to the student body. Along with those responsibilities, she also heads multiple committees. 

This year, however, is looking very dissimilar due to distance learning. With an absence of football games, homecoming dances and the occasional pep rally, Wachtel is making sure that there are events in the works for the student body to look forward to. 

Although students may not be reminded of ASB’s daily support through the loudspeakers at the moment, Wachtel assures that ASB (specifically the student member of the board, Brianna Cornejo-Perez) will continually be present to address any questions and concerns students may have. 

“We’re able to help them share their voice, essentially. We’re advocates for them, to administration, to each other and to the district,” Wachtel said. 

Natalie Ricciardulli: Treasurer 

Natalie Ricciardulli (’21), a student dedicated to ASB with an interest in economics, ran unopposed and won the position of treasurer for the second consecutive year.

The beginning of this semester brought victory to Ricciardulli—as it did last year. Besides her long commitment to ASB since her days at John Adams Middle School, there is another reason why the position of treasurer is so appealing to her. 

After taking an economics class at SMC as a junior, Ricciardulli discovered a passion for the social science and now considers it to be one of her main focuses. As treasurer, she is able to apply this knowledge to real life situations and is using it to support the Samo community. 

“My job is to ensure that all the money coming in and out of the school is appropriate and legit. I approve any transaction that goes in and out of any account within the school,” Ricciardulli said. 

During distance learning, Ricciardulli’s role has been looking substantially different. She plans to set up as many fundraisers as she can to stay on top of Samo’s financials and is currently conducting a See’s Candy fundraiser, with all proceeds going towards this year’s student prizes, rallies and dances. Despite the chaos surrounding Samo, Ricciardulli is hopeful about the future. 

“We're going to get through it. No matter what grade you're in, don't give up, don't stop working. Stay safe, stay happy and don't get discouraged. This will end,” Ricciardulli said. 

Kelsie Sabbe: Secretary

Kelsie Sabbe (’22) has been elected as ASB’s new secretary and is already looking forward to event planning when in-person learning starts. 

Aside from being a part of ASB since seventh grade at Lincoln Middle School, Sabbe enjoys photography and is an avid volleyball player, participating in both school and club teams. 

As secretary, Sabbe’s job is to take notes during ASB meetings and to plan the agenda for each gathering. She also oversees various school committees (as does every executive board member), specifically the activities and historians committees. 

During distance learning, Sabbe expressed that the extra time that—in normal circumstances—would have been spent focusing on factors pertaining to in-person events, has allowed her to be more active in the detailed planning. 

“Since it’s a whole new format, I’ve been able to be more hands on,” Sabbe said.

Although coming back to school is only a possibility, Sabbe is already excited about the next pep rally to be planned. In the meantime, Sabbe knows that times are difficult, but she is maintaining her optimism and advises the student body to do the same.

“It’ll all work out, and I know even I sometimes find that hard to believe, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Just stay hopeful and stay focused on the end goal,” Sabbe said. 

Brianna Cornejo-Perez: Student Member of the Board

Brianna Cornejo-Perez (’21) has been elected as ASB’s new student member of the board, a job which entails an abundance of responsibilities relating both to the student body and school board.  

Being a long term member of ASB is not Cornejo-Perez’s only preoccupation. She is also a goalie on the Samo girls’ lacrosse team, participates in mock trial and JSA and is the president of the Health Foundations club.

After becoming Samo’s student member of the board, Cornejo-Perez and other members on the ASB executive board expressed that her job has proven to be a crucial part of Samo, particularly during this time of uncertainty. 

A symptom of distance learning that has affected Cornejo-Perez is the fact that all meetings have become virtualized. Because communication essentially sits in the heart of her position, she expressed that delivering reports have become a new experiment filled with apprehensions regarding how her words will be perceived over Zoom. 

Cornejo-Perez is well aware that every student has concerns about school. It is crucial, she articulated, that they all feel comfortable to reach out to her with any concerns they might have because she has the power to address them. 

“I want to be your biggest advocate. I want to make sure that your needs are met to the best of my abilities. If you have something, voice it and I'll make sure it gets heard,” Cornejo-Perez said. 

Cornejo-Perez is open to anyone with questions, comments or concerns. Students can email her at briannacornejoperez@gmail.com.