Editors’ note: As outlined in Hill’s SGA constitution, The Hill News publishes statements of each presidential candidate. We take this role seriously, seeing it as an essential part of keeping an informed student body.
Candidate Pair:
- Avery Cohen and Ayaan Rege
Questions:
- What do you have to contribute to Hill? Briefly outline some of your INDIVIDUAL goals and initiatives should you be elected.
- How do you and your running mate plan to contribute to Hill together? Briefly describe the collaborative goals and initiatives you both aim to implement if elected.
- Why did you want to run for SGA?
- What made you choose your running mate?
Avery Cohen and Ayaan Rege
1) What do you have to contribute to Hill? Briefly outline some of your INDIVIDUAL goals and initiatives should you be elected.
Avery: I have a lot to contribute to Hill, from my involvement in the community, to my leadership experience, and values such as empathy, passion, and commitment. I believe that I’ve been contributing all of these things to our community for the past three years, and I will continue to contribute on a larger platform if elected. Individually, it’s my goal to make Hill feel like Home for everyone and spread the love I have for this place. If elected, I will aim to foster a transparent, engaged, and trusting dynamic between the SGA and the rest of the student body, along with clear and frequent communication. I will initiate greater connection throughout different forms, more collaboration within the SGA, and cultivate meaningful relationships to create an overall more authentic school culture. I believe “buy in” starts from the top down, and as co-president, I will be the one to initiate change with both measurable goals, but also within the culture and engagement of our student body.
Ayaan: More than my roles as a student, athlete, representative, prefect, or friend, I believe that my genuine love and passion for Hill and its community are my greatest contribution. For the past three years, I have been fortunate enough to take full advantage of Hill’s amazing community, and it has changed my life. More recently, I have made it my mission to not only continue to stay engaged within the community but also to allow others to elevate their own Hill experiences. I plan to concretize this by increasing transparency between leadership and the student body while also increasing the internal connections of the community. By organizing bi-weekly meetings between the co-chairs/presidents of various organizations on campus, we can ensure that the various cogs behind Hill’s community are turning in unison. Additionally, with a male alternative Wednesday dress code, we can ensure that all students feel proud while representing Hill. Though these are relatively minor tasks, they both have the potential to be extremely impactful, and they are an indication of our readiness to incite change within the community.
2) How do you and your running mate plan to contribute to Hill together? Briefly describe the collaborative goals and initiatives you both aim to implement if elected.*
Avery: The majority of mine and Ayaan’s goals are collaborative. We plan to contribute to the Hill community by increasing communication, connection, and engagement. Whether it is modifying the dress code to be more flexible or bridging the gap between the SGA, other organizations, and the student body, we plan to use our collective experience to take initiative and create authentic connections within our community.
Ayaan: The majority of Avery’s and my goals are collaborative. We plan to contribute to the Hill community by increasing communication, connection, and engagement. Whether it is modifying the dress code to be more flexible or bridging the gap between the SGA, other organizations, and the student body, we plan to use our collective experience to take the initiative and create authentic connections within our community.
3) Why did you want to run for SGA?
Avery: I have run for the SGA for three years now and run again because I love being a role model and engaging with others in the community. What has motivated me to run every year has been the same thing; my love for Hill and the opportunity to create change. I believe student leadership is a core piece of our school’s community and culture, and being on the SGA gives me the opportunity to shape the foundation of Hill. I want to amplify students’ voices, while collaborating with faculty and other members on the SGA to make positive change within our community. Overall, I think the SGA has potential to make substantial change, both tangible and intangible, and that’s something I want to be a part of, something bigger than myself that will benefit the place I love so deeply.
Ayaan: I want to run for the position of SGA Co-president because I believe I have the passion, experience, and dedication that other candidates simply do not possess. As the SGA Senator for my form during the last two years, I have worked tirelessly to spread my genuine love for Hill throughout my form, as well as the entire school. Whether it was our school-wide suggestion box or our weekly meetings with students in our form, my partner and I have made many lasting contributions to our community. More than the fact that no other candidates have made these contributions, these contributions are a testament to our ability to truly incite positive change. With the role of co-president, our widespread representation and responsibilities would not only allow us to make similar contributions but also contributions that reach far greater than we have reached before. With this opportunity, I firmly believe I could foster a community of love and passion.
4) What made you choose your running mate?
Avery: Ayaan and I have served together on the SGA for the past two years, and when it came to choosing a running-mate, he was the obvious choice. On the SGA as co-representatives, we learned how to work together, and this will most definitely carry over as co-presidents. Ayaan’s a natural leader, he is the hardest working and most committed person I know, and gets things done with the most care and authenticity. We work efficiently and effectively as a team, and with our collective experience and different qualities, we complement each other as leaders, and have a lot to offer to the Hill community.
Ayaan: As my co-representative and close friend, Avery was my immediate choice when choosing my running mate. Over the last couple of years, we have formed a bond far greater than our roles within the SGA, and this has allowed us to accomplish tasks far more significant than we could have ever imagined. As a partner, Avery’s communication skills, dedication, work ethic, and genuine positivity make her a true joy to work with. These traits will also undoubtedly translate into the roles of co-presidents. Further, Avery’s participation and leadership in several organizations make her an established and experienced figure on Hill’s campus, and her love for the school is an inspiration to my own. Put simply, Avery is an extraordinary teammate who shines in every aspect of Hill’s community. Besides the bond between us, Avery and I are collectively involved in an extremely wide variety of groups and organizations around campus, which enables us to connect with the community on a much deeper level. Together, Avery and I have accomplished so much, and as co-presidents, the sky is truly the limit for what we will achieve if elected.