Each school year, returning junior and senior members from Warrior Pride participate in Pride Leader auditions. The candidates talk about how they would be a good leader, and the goals that they have set for themselves and the team. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s auditions were held online on a Google Meets call. The candidates made powerpoint presentations and presented them to the rest of the team and the directors Ms. Katherine Gunderson and Ms. Emily Smith. The auditions were held between Friday, Aug. 28 and Tuesday, Sept. 1. 

“I think the directors actually did a pretty good job at handling this situation,” Claudia Indriago ‘21 said. “Usually auditions are done at the end of the year, [so] it was definitely harder having them at the beginning but it wasn’t too bad. I’m really glad we all got to experience this.” 

The candidates had to present in alphabetical order and were given five minutes each for the presentation. They had to explain the qualities they have that make them good leaders, actions they have done in the past that showed leadership within the team, and some new traditions that they want to implement. 

“This year’s Pride leader auditions were very interesting, but I really didn’t care that these auditions took place later than they did, or that it was over Google Meet, because either way I still got to express my want to lead Warrior Pride this year,” Iliana Sharp ‘21 said. “At least this time the new members got a vote on who they want as their role models, as their leaders. I’m happy it happened the way it did, and I got to learn a little something about myself as a leader in the process.”

The new leaders were announced on the Warrior Pride website on Friday, Aug. 28 at 4.30 p.m. The other members had three days to vote through a google form, and then the directors counted the votes. There is no specific number of leaders each year, so they chose the ones who had the most votes. 

“Although it was a different process than usual, I’m super grateful to have been elected a Pride leader this year,” Lauren Smith ‘21 said. “I’m hoping to help build a really strong bond with the team this year despite these unusual circumstances.” 

The new Pride Leaders for this school year are listed below: 

Anaya Kashikar ‘21

Claudia Indriago ‘21

Iliana Sharp ‘21

Laoise Matsumoto ‘21

Lauren Smith ‘21

Lily Sayre ‘21

Sakshi Dhavalikar ‘21

Valeria Diaz ‘21