With only one quarter left in the school year, and AP week quickly approaching, IMSA has officially hosted the 2025-26 student council elections! Various different candidates from the sophomore and junior classes came well-dressed, and well prepared. In case you missed it, here is a summary of the 2025-26 election speeches for student council!
President:
Blake Hennings
Blake brought a bag of the various restaurants he’d ordered from that week, showing how much he loves food. He spoke about how he wanted to implement a 3 strike policy for StudCo members. He also mentioned how he wanted to do more outreach to earn more funds for StudCo. He emphasized that he wants a general membership for StudCo, that way more people can voice their opinions and say what they want to see changed. He also proposed open meetings for the general public. At the end of his speech, he ate a burger from Wendy’s, showing just how much he loves food.
Sumaer Gupta
Sumaer spoke about how he wanted to fix club chartering, making it so it’s divided between clubs that need funding versus ones that don’t. He also wants to improve mental health around campus by having initiatives that go beyond Mental Health Initiative week. He spoke about improving the Big Sibling program by making sure upperclassmen stay loyal to their little siblings. He plans to address the IMSA student body’s concerns as quickly as possible. Sumaer also rapped some verses from Kendrick Lamar’s “LOYALTY” at the end of his speech to emphasize his loyalty to us students.
Amada Garcia
Amada focused on her purpose to serve the student body, letting us know that if she is president, she would make IMSA a better place for students. She spoke about her experience on StudCo this year, especially with Lexington. Sandwich bar, service hours, and snack packs + hot breakfast items at Grab N’ Go were some things she helped implement. She also headed the hall composting pilot. She mentioned how she wanted to make StudCo more transparent as well as collaborate with more clubs. She wants to let the IMSA student body know why some projects fall through as well as host more events for students to enjoy. Amada incorporated Fetty Wap references throughout her speech to make us hers (“I want you to be mine…”)
Tony Han
Tony talked about holding what the StudCo officers said accountable, and making sure that they follow through with their promises. He spoke about giving biweekly updates to see progress and setbacks. He also mentioned that he was not the most experienced candidate, but spoke about his perspective as a student at IMSA, and how he only hears updates from StudCo through gossip around school. He also promises that he will send out Google Forms about potential policies so that student body can give input before changes are made. He also spoke about removing StudCo members from office for not upholding what they said they would. He mentioned how in Las Vegas, 99% of gamblers quit before they hit it big, and how either we choose the same kinds of candidates hoping for change, or we take a gamble.
CAB director:
Eric Lee
Eric brought out a poster, and formatted his speech like he was answering the top searched questions. He primarily proposed having more school spirit, like how regular high schools do. For example, he mentioned he wanted to have Monday announcements and decor around IMSA during holidays like Easter or St. Patrick’s day. He also wants to make Clash and Homecoming better, and wants to prioritize bringing fun to campus.
Ria Bakshi
Ria walked up to the podium in a taxi CAB costume. She spoke about how CAB is fun, and how she wants to give us what we want CAB to do. She mentioned that she prioritizes CAB. She focused on getting feedback from us, the students. Additionally, she mentioned that she wants to put out a feedback form to get our input on how CAB can improve events, and just improve in general, then drove off the stage in her taxi CAB costume!
Molly Federici
Molly introduced herself as Molly Fettuccine Federici. She presented her speech like a recipe, focusing on the “cooking” metaphor to keep it engaging. She mentioned how she has a passion for CAB. She focused on her dedication as a current CAB member, and how she is for the people, and will listen to what we have to say about CAB events. She wants to make Clash bigger and better by having a Clash MVP award, where each hall nominates the person who has shown the most dedication and energy for Clash. Overall, Molly Fettuccine Federici wants to give us what we want to see from CAB.
Junior at Large:
Mbayie Tendong
Mbayie started her speech off by saying how people always get her name wrong, and then went to talk about how she wants to improve communication between StudCo and the IMSA student body. Also wants to unite the sophomore class to make it less divided. Wants to bring Class of 2027 together, as well as help get things done on StudCo as Junior at large. Finally, she mentioned wanting to increase the student body’s voice in making us heard more. Mbayie also danced to “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC, true to her slogan, to show us her fun personality!
Cassius Amegashie-Caref
Cassius focused on the phrase “just put the fries in the bag” to keep us engaged. He talked about keeping StudCo more accountable, and keeping it transparent. He also talked about wanting to strengthen communication between StudCo and the IMSA student body, and informing us about the latest updates that StudCo has. Cassius furthered the fries in the bag idea by shoving a bunch of fries in his mouth.
Shihan Cheng
Shihan emphasized that he wants to be “Bob the Builder” and get things done on StudCo. He wants to improve communication between StudCo and the student body, as well as start projects and initiatives to help the student body. His speech was on the shorter side, and he also emphasized that he wants to improve accountability on StudCo’s end.
Senior at Large:
Caden Tam
Caden ran unopposed. He started his speech by having us do a few rounds of what Simon says. In doing so, he transitioned nicely into his speech about listening to what we have to say. He proposed having open meetings, so students can listen in on what StudCo is currently working on, and he wants to release a form to take interested students to admin meetings so we can see what StudCo has been facing in terms of Admin. Caden specified that he wants to involve us in StudCo’s plans, and he finished his speech with another few rounds of Simon says.
Secretary:
Ian Wang
Ian focused on how he wants to improve the StudCo pdf , making the ten point font readable and understandable through flyers and posters. He also wants to make it so that we know about changes that Admin wants to implement, unlike how Maymester got announced through an email that Dr. Glazer sent. He also wants to allow students to provide their input when it comes to administrative changes, and finally, wants to revamp the monthly newsletter and website.
Cassie Marvitz
Cassie spoke about how she wanted to close the communication gap between students and administration, emphasizing that while Secretary doesn’t seem like much, they do a lot for StudCo. She talked about wanting to ensure that student voices are heard, and that she wanted to provide timely updates on decisions that affect students. She also wants to transform the horrendous wall of text that is a “newsletter” into an engaging and easy to read newsletter. She wants to keep students informed about StudCo initiatives and advocate for transparency and meaningful change. Finally, she wants to represent student concerns directly in meetings with Admin.
Treasurer:
Lucas He
Lucas used the slogan “Like a good neighbor, I am there” mimicking the State Farm slogan. He talked about getting general members more involved in club planning, and using their ideas for events and projects. He also talked about improving the communication between Admin and the student body. So, just like a good neighbor, Lucas wants to be there for us, the students, to make our voices heard.
Vijnna Appasani
Vijnna introduced herself with a nickname and brought a money gun. She spoke about how she wanted to improve communication between administration and the student body. She talked about wanting to try and get cars on campus, and better the lives of the students. She also talked about wanting to make more money for StudCo. Finally, at the end of her speech, she sprayed a money gun to further her point of wanting to get money for StudCo.
JCC President:
Devika Kalavagunta
Devika ran unopposed and focused on talking about what SoCC has achieved this year, like their Insomnia cookies fundraiser. She mentioned future ideas that SoCC is working on, as well as wanting to make engaging fundraisers for the IMSA community. Overall, Devika wants to work towards raising money for a fun prom for Class of 2027.
SCC President:
Lucy Philip
Lucy also ran unopposed and focused on talking about her past projects with JCC, and how she’s enjoyed her time as president of class club. She also mentioned how she wants to revamp IMSA merch, and how there is a design contest for any interested student to submit a design to SCC and win free merchandise. She talked about future plans that SCC has, and how she wants prom to be enjoyable for Class of 2026.
And finally, here are the results from the election!
President: Blake Hennings
Vice President: Sumaer Gupta
Treasurer: Lucas He
Secretary: Cassandra Eve Marvitz
Senior-at-Large: Caden Tam
Junior-at-Large: Cassius Amegashie-Caref
CAB Director: Eric Lee
SCC President: Lucy Philip
JCC President: Devika Kalavagunta
With the new StudCo board decided, it’s only a matter of time before The Acronym publishes interviews getting to know each and every one of these new StudCo members!
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