2017-2018 Student Elections

The student election is an annual event that takes place at Woburn Memorial High School. This year, elections and voting took place during the first week of October. Final voting took place during the first four periods on Friday, October 6th. All votes were in by that afternoon, creating a humorous and competitive atmosphere throughout the high school.  

The student body expects a lot from from their class officers. Candidates must possess traits such a leadership, confidence, communication, commitment, and honesty in order to be chosen for a certain role in the election by the peers in their grades. They manage money, class activities, and grade wide events. Every year with the help of the activities committee, these selected student leaders carry out tasks and make difficult decisions that not every student could make alone.

In the freshman class, four candidates ran a tight race for the Presidency. Jenna Casey and her competitors Melissa Murphy, Fred Parziale and Sophia Matthews fought for the two Presidential spots before primaries. However, the freshman class voted and narrowed the four candidates down to Fred Parziale and Jenna Casey after primaries. The freshman class also had more than two candidates run for Vice President. Sophia Bishop faced off against Jessica Pich and Adam Ghilli. The freshman class spoke again and Jessica Pich did not make it past from the primaries. For Secretary, Christie Delanois ran unopposed. Also running opposed was Ciana Dickey for the Freshman Class Representative and Timothy Pratt for Treasurer. Freshman Darian Cain discussed her feelings on her first student election with the Bull’s Eye.

“For me, my first school election was a very fun and interesting experience. I thought that the overall setup was extremely organized. Plus, the election made me feel more involved in my school.”

Next, the sophomore class battled for the Presidential seat. At the start, former president Isabella “Bella” LoRusso, her impeached rival Marc Beliard, and newcomers Meri Ibrahimi and Noah Stebbins strived for one of the two spots coming out of the primaries. During the class speeches, you could hear the excitement in all four candidates speeches about running either for the first time, or returning. Bella and Marc threw shade towards each other in their speeches. Bella focused mainly on educating the audience on how last year, although he won fairly, Marc was impeached and consequently Bella was appointed the President for the freshman class.

Bella believes, “Everyone deserves a second chance. I’m glad he ran because I love the thrill of the competition.” For Vice President, Isabelle Bickford battled Ariyana Bonab. In the speeches, Ariyana gave an incredibly enthusiastic speech and got the crowd rallied up while Isabelle gave a short and sweet speech describing what she would do as class Vice President. For the remaining three positions, Emma Connors ran unopposed for Secretary, Brooklyn Manna ran unopposed for Class Representative, and Kaylyn Pacheco ran unopposed for Treasurer. All three girls presented short and to the point speeches explaining that they had no opposers and described what they would each do individually to help the class of 2020.  

After sophomore primaries were held on October 4th, excitement was in the air as the presidential spot was narrowed from four candidates to two. The class voted, and history repeated itself as Bella LoRusso and Marc Beliard became the final two candidates for President yet again.

In the Junior class, candidates Bobby Concannon and Sumeya Abrar went head to head in a once again epic battle for the Presidential spot. In speeches, Bobby won over the audience with his words while Sumeya rose to the next level and rapped her speech. Sumeya had the crowd roaring by the end of her epic rap, and impressed not only her classmates, but herself. Sumeya Abrar told the Bull’s Eye.

“There was really no rivalry between Bobby and I. We have always respected each other and this year was just like any other year.” Next, Jesse Stocker and Alice O’Brien both ran unopposed for the positions of Vice President and Secretary respectively. Although running unopposed, neither candidates speeches showed any slack and both convinced the class of 2019 why they deserved these spots. The high energy competition was between Ryan Qualey, Renato Rosso, and Bryant Keatley for the Class Representative spot. All three boys proved themselves of possessing high quality traits that would make them successful for the spot.  

The Junior class voted in primaries and narrowed the three Class Representative candidates down to two. It was announced unexpectedly that Renato Rosso had been eliminated from the race which left Ryan Qualey against Bryant Keatley.

In the Senior class all positions had either one or two candidates per position. The Senior class runners took their final high school election very seriously. However, the rest of the class didn’t. Vice President candidate Liz Werner admits to the Bull’s Eye that the student election isn’t important to ALL students.

Liz says, “To those that are involved it means literally the world… For those [who] aren’t super involved with the activities committee, this year’s elections were a joke. There was a ton of controversy and drama because the Presidential race was going to be super close. For me, they’re important because this set of class officers decides what happens to [our class] not only for this year, but every five years for reunions.” Going for the Presidential position was Matthew Pollard against Sarah Weber. Both made an amazing effort to get their voice and views out to their classmates. The Vice Presidential spot was between Liz Werner and Bryan Govostes.  Secretary was Robert Dickey against Tracey Kalungi and Class Representative was between Shayla Callahan and Jenn Campbell. Isabelle Claude ran unopposed for the class treasurer, guaranteeing herself in her final high school student election. Myron Masotta ran against Jake Pineo for the Regional Student Advisor position, which is specific to the senior class.  

Unlike every other grade, the senior class did not need to vote in the primaries. Each position was already between one or two candidates and did not need anymore narrowing down before the final election.  

Tension and excitement built up throughout all four grades in WMHS leading up to the final election. When the announcement came through the loudspeaker, the school became almost dead silent. In some classrooms, you could hear a pin drop. Student Council members came over the speaker and reported the election results, starting with the freshman class. Below are the final results of each grade’s final votes.

         Freshman Class             Sophomore Class

President: Fred Parziale President: Isabella LoRusso

Vice President: Adam Ghilli Vice President: Isabelle Bickford

Class Representative: Ciana Dickey Class Representative: Brooklyn Manna

Secretary: Christie Delanois Secretary: Emma Connors

Treasurer: Timothy Pratt Treasurer: Kaylyn Pacheco

Junior Class                        Senior Class

President: Bobby Concannon President: Sarah Weber

Vice President: Jesse Stocker Vice President: Liz Werner

Class Representative: Ryan Qualey Class Representative: Jenn Campbell

Secretary: Alice O’Brien Secretary: Robert Dickey

Treasurer: Stephen Kolodko Treasurer: Isabelle Claude

Regional Student Advisor: Jake Pineo

After the final votes were announced, all elected students were extremely happy with their personal outcome and success. Fred Parziale ran a tight race against three other freshman candidates but proved himself to be high and was elected. Sophomore president Bella LoRusso talked to the Bull’s Eye about how she felt when she heard the results that she had been elected President for the class of 2020.

“When I sat in my science class and heard the announcements go off I was nervous because people told me everyday how I was going to lose… Hearing my name instantly filled me with joy. It’s an honor for me to know that the class of 2020 trusts me to be their class president. Knowing that just makes me want to do even better for my class. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to another fabulous year!” All elected students will be incredibly politically active in the WMHS community throughout the 2017-2018 school year. Junior Sumeya Abrar fell short in votes to Bobby Concannon who took the presidential spot.

Sumeya, a fellow Bull’s eye writer tells the Bull’s Eye, “I think [Bobby’s] elections in the past may have boosted his chance for re-election this year. I’m definitely going to run next year, because I’m running to show democracy!” Overall, the senior class ran a tight race in almost all positions. There was a lot of drama and tension throughout all grades wondering who would be elected, since all candidates were outstanding.

Elected Vice President Liz Werner talks to the Bull’s eye about the senior class’ elected President, Sarah Weber, “Sarah has been a great President for the past 2 years, and she’ll be amazing this year too.”

Submitted by: Emily Correia, Staff Writer

Work Cited

Abrar, Sumeya. Person Interview by Emily Correia. WMHS Bull’s Eye. 11 October 2017.

Cain, Darian. Personal Interview by Emily Correia.WMHS Bull’s Eye. October 2017. 10 October 2017.

LoRusso, Bella. Personal Interview by Emily Correia. WMHS Bull’s Eye. October 2017. WMHS Bull’s Eye. 9
October 2017.

Werner, Elizabeth. Personal Interview by Emily Correia. WMHS Bull’s Eye. October 2017. WMHS Bull’s Eye. 10
October 2017.