Class of 2025 Campaigns in Junior Class Election

Planning prom, homecoming, and socials, junior class officers are key in upholding tradition.

Below is more information about each of the candidates running for a junior class position:

Siyona Jain ‘25: Junior Class President Candidate Prioritizes Inclusivity and Involvement

Siyona Jain ‘25 has been a Student Council leader since elementary school and thinks of StuCo as her top priority. 

In addition to planning to implement gender-neutral Homecoming royalty next year, Jain aims to host a successful prom and has already begun brainstorming theme ideas, like Starry Night and Enchanted Forest. Jain also has fundraising ideas such as candy grams and a basketball knockout tournament, as well as plans for karaoke and movie night socials to encourage class bonding.

“I really want to make sure our entire class feels super included and involved in the activities we do, like prom planning and socials,” Jain said. “I plan to do this by taking more student feedback, ideas, thoughts, and concerns through things like email surveys and social media polls”

Inclusivity and class bonding are overarching goals for Jain.

“StuCo is really special to me because it’s something I’ve been a part of since I was young,” Jain said. “I feel really passionate about it because it’s always been my goal to help the students around me and make sure everyone feels really included and heard.”

Prithika Chandresekar ‘25: Junior Class Vice President Candidate Aims to Unify Student Body

Despite it being her first time participating in a StuCo election, Junior Vice President candidate Prithika Chandresekar ‘25, has plans to initiate more student engagement, especially in prom planning and the “No-Fuss” fundraiser.

“For prom, my idea to increase student involvement is to create monthly meetings [that] students can attend [so] they can give their input that way,” Chandresekar said. “For ‘No Fuss’, increasing student awareness is really important, and so I want to create a chart and keep track of populated areas around school so that more people can see it and donate.”

Increasing class unity and communication are additional goals of Chandresekar.

“To me, StuCo means being involved in my school, but also being someone that people can come to no matter what they need,” Chandresekar said. “I think that’s important because it creates that sense of unity [so] everyone has like that person they can go to.”

Shrishti Mahajan ‘25: Junior Class Vice President Candidate Prioritizes the Community

With an enormous cardboard cutout of a BeReal frame at her side, Junior Class Vice President candidate Shrishti Mahajan ‘25, urges sophomores to “be real” and vote. Mahajan has actively participated in Student Council since middle school, serving as the Freshman Representative and Sophomore Parliamentarian in past years. 

“My goals are to increase communication and class involvement,” Mahajan said. “I want to do this through a weekly newsletter to the junior class. With this, [we can] increase involvement [and] build a stronger class. This is extremely vital as junior year is an important time for student council as we start to plan prom, so we really need to make sure we have a strong community established.”

Since joining StuCo, Mahajan has had the opportunity to meet leaders in the Westwood community and learn and develop leadership skills from them.

“Student council is really about bringing my community together and also growing [it] to the best it can be,” Mahajan said.

Michelle Huang ‘25: Junior Class President Candidate Aims to Give Back to Local Area

Giving back to the community is crucial to Michelle Huang ‘25, a Junior Class President Candidate. 

“If I was elected, one of my main goals is to provide service opportunities for the sophomore class,” Huang said. “One of the main things I would want to implement are things like socials where we make pet toys for local animal shelters, or setting up donation bins and running drives for local charities and organizations.”

Having served in StuCo for years and being the current sophomore class vice president, Huang has a clear vision for next year.

“I have a lot of experience when it comes to just housekeeping [things],” Huang said. “I know all the things that our class needs to work on in order to run a successful prom next year. And that way, if I were elected, I can just dive right in and we can just get started.”

Grace Huh ‘25: Junior Class Secretary Candidate Aims to Offer More Prom Options

Having served as secretary in for other organizations like Code Girls, Grace Huh ‘25, a Junior Class Secretary Candidate, has experience in this role. Her priority as secretary is to allow for more student input into prom planning.

“I want to give more options for venues for my class,” Huh said. “I know in the past we’ve only gone to the Oasis and some people want a change from that.”

Arjun Bhardwaj ‘25: Junior Class Secretary Candidate Strives For More Diversity and Communication 

Promoting diversity is integral to the platform Junior Class Secretary Candidate Arjun Bhardwaj ‘25. 

“I want to host a multicultural fair,” Bhardwaj said. “We want to implement a bunch of diversity clubs [to participate] like German Honors Society, [and] Spanish Honors Society.”

In addition to diversity, Bhardwaj aims to unite the class body.

“Student council is an organization that strives [to bring] all the students together,” Bhardwaj said. “That kind of pride, being a Westwood student, [is what] StuCo does to the student body.”

Bailey Zhang ‘25: Junior Class Treasurer Candidate Brings Innovative Ideas

Having served in the past as class treasurer, Bailey Zhang ‘25 utilizes past experience to strategize fundraising ideas. 

“I would like to first make innovative fundraising strategies that can really just boost our revenues,” Zhang said. “Then I will put all this money towards prom and make it really fun for everyone. I also want to give back and plan really interesting, enjoyable fun events that are tailored towards everyone’s interests.”

Zhang developed her love for StuCo through the platform it provides for students to express ideas and contribute to event planning at Westwood.

“I feel so honored to be able to have the opportunity to help plan these events and make decisions for the people in our class,” Zhang said.

James Li ‘25: Junior Class Treasurer Candidate Aims to Increase Financial Transparency and Eliminate Barriers

Having a different perspective as a student participating in his first StuCo election, Junior Class Treasurer Candidate James Li ‘25 brings new ideas of financial management and engagement.

“My main goals for the upcoming year is to first increase transparency in the financial management while promoting inclusivity and participation in the class,” Li said, “and finally, addressing any barriers to participation in StuCo activities.”

Among having past experience in managing finances, Li aims to offer more opportunities for volunteering and collaborating with fellow officers to maximize student enjoyment.

“StuCo gives students like myself an opportunity to represent and advocate for their interests and concerns,” Li said. “StuCo means more than just another club, it means to be a fully engaged member of Westwood and to make a long and lasting impact.”

Aarav Pulsani ‘25: Junior Class Parlimentarian Candidate Advocates For Prom

Aarav Pulsani ‘25, a member of Westwood Debate, is running unopposed for Junior Class Parliamentarian. With a background in StuCo and his own non-profit organization, Pulsani’s prior leadership experience informs his vision. If elected, Pulsani has clear goals for the position.

“I really just want to help plan prom better,” Pulsani said. “I want to make prom the overarching event of the school year, so everyone knows [about it].”

Pulsani’s passion for StuCo makes him excited for the election and upcoming results.

“StuCo is just a place where students can represent themselves, and learn a lot of life skills,” Pulsani said. “I think it’s a really good idea for all [students] to join.”