New ASB Cabinet elected for 2022-2023 school year
Kira Bretsky, Staff Writer
The Associated Student Body (ASB) elections take place each year before spring break to prepare for the upcoming school year. On Friday, March 11, ASB’s voting form was opened after a malfunction with the vote counting software. The deadline for filling out the form was then extended to Friday, March 18 due to a lack of student involvement. Individuals received emails with the link to the Google Form, which explained the responsibilities of voting as a student. The rest of the form provided names of the candidates for each position, and students clicked digital checkboxes to voice their opinions. Only freshmen, sophomores and juniors were able to vote for the ASB Executive Board for the 2022-2023 school year.
Before Election Week, candidates campaigned against each other for the highly competitive positions. Colorful posters plastered the Samo campus in the days leading up to the elections, and many students wore pins to show their support for the candidates. In the digital realm, candidates posted videos on social media, mainly Instagram, explaining the qualities and qualifications of an executive board member and why the Samo student body should vote for them.
The two presidential candidates, Jessica Brown (’23) and Nathan Castanaza (’23), each had elaborate campaigns. Brown created graffiti-style bubble lettered posters that were taped up in wave patterns along Samo’s walls. Her Instagram posts included short videos showing individual student support, as well as a Franklin D. Roosevelt-esque fireside chat during which she explained her connection to the student population and her plans for ASB. Castanaza, on the other hand, advertised pictures of himself with witty instructions for voting on campus. He also made sure to have students show their support for him in his campaign video, which referenced an iconic scene from Legally Blonde – Samo’s 2022 musical – and bridged the gap between students and ASB members.
Ellenor Brandt (’23), Alani Kanan (’23), Yohannes Mihret (’23) and Egan Waktole (’23) were all candidates for the position of vice president. They also created campaign videos and posters that explained their passions for leadership, ASB and Samo as a whole.
On Tuesday, March 22, the Blue Bulletin announcements included the results of the election. Castanaza and Waktole will be next year’s President and Vice President, respectively. Mira Wagabaza (’24) won the position of Student Member of the Board, Catrina Zolkin (’23) for Secretary and Kaya Schwartz (’23) for Treasurer.
Castanaza, Samo’s current Student Member of the Board, is grateful for his new position and has big plans for the student body.
“I’m excited to plan pep rallies and encourage school spirit on campus. I’m honored to have this position and I’m so thankful for all of the support I’ve received,” Castanaza said.
Sophie Christmas (’23), one of Castanaza’s many supporters, knows him as a peer and is confident that he will be reflective of Samo’s student population as President.
“I voted for Nathan Castanaza because I have seen him every single day in English class and I know for a fact that he is a hard worker, he loves the student body, and he is a great, intelligent, kind person,” Christmas said.
Waktole aims to build student bonds during her time in office to set a tone for Samo’s future.
“My goal is to build a sense of school unity and make sure that everything – and everyone – connects through our events,” Waktole said.
In addition to student support, school officials are also anticipating success for the new executives. Samo Principal Antonio Shelton is looking forward to the actions that ASB will take under their lead next year.
“My hope for this group of ASB officers is that they will work to build our school camaraderie, build school spirit and take ownership,” Shelton said.
