Dragon Post reporter, Kate Wright, sat down with CCHS senior, and class president, Emily Gallagher, to reflect on the past three years.
People tend to forget the faces behind all the work that goes into class events and fundraisers. Emily Gallagher has successfully been the president of her class at Cornwall Central High School for three out of four strenuous years. Her determination and hard work is something to admire. I had the opportunity to sit down with Emily to ask her about her life as “Madam President” here at CCHS.
Q: How are you Emily?
I’m great thank you!
How old are you?
I am 16.
In your free time what do you enjoy doing?
When I have time, I like to hang out with my friends. Sometimes I also enjoy playing some tennis.
For how many years have you been president of your class?
This is my third year holding the position.
How often do you meet with the other class officers?
Anywhere from as often as once a week to once a month. It varies and depends on the time of year.
What do the meetings consist of?
“There are two different types of meetings. There is SGO and then there is class officers. SGO is where every grade level and also the runners up for each position meet, so it is a lot of people. Class officers is just a meeting with the four of us and anyone else from our class who wants to come.”
What qualities do you believe are most important in a leader?
“I think they have to be a good listener. I also believe a leader should be organized and express leadership skills in general.”
What do you consider “leadership skills”?
To me, leadership skills are expressing positivity, good communication, and responsibility.
Do you see yourself as a leader? If so why?
“Yes I do see myself as a leader.” I believe I have the qualities of a leader, the ones we talked about in the previous questions.
What has being president all these years taught you?
It has taught me to listen to others. It has given me a lot of respect for our class and for the ideas they have.
What have you learned about being president from your previous years of holding the position?
“I learned that there is not a lot of power that comes with the job. It is more of a responsibility, which I’ve come to accept and appreciate.”
Who do you look up to and get inspiration from?
“I definitely look up to Mike Cassidy, the former senior class president.” He had a lot of great ideas last year and seemed to have a successful year. He did a great job.
Do you feel as class president your voice is truly heard and your ideas are taken seriously?
“Yes, definitely. There are some instances where it’s not, but for planning certain events, like prom, if I ask for anything, the teachers will always look into it.”
Tell me about your role as senior class president.
I help plan important events, like senior prom and homecoming. I also plan the fundraisers that pay for these events. It is a very important and time consuming job, but it also very rewarding.
What do you feel is the most important aspect of being class president?
“Probably just knowing the grade well.” For example, when we plan the class t-shirts we have to make sure people will actually wear them and buy them. We have to know the grade and know what they like.
What are some things you are currently planning for this year?
“Senior prom is a big one. I know there are some smaller events, but that is our main focus.” We want to make it the best night possible. We might do another Chipotle fundraiser and most likely another coin drop if possible.
What would you say is the hardest part about being class president?
“Making sure we get communication down.” We have to communicate with so many people, such as the teachers, each other, our grade, and the school as a whole.
How does the decision making process work, and who do you have to go through to get an idea approved?
At our meetings we all talk about ideas we have for certain things coming up. We make sure everyone's voice is heard and all ideas are taken into account. Then we all kind of vote on what ideas are the best for our grade. “It’s ultimately the schools decision but they do let us have a big part in the decision making process.”
Do you have any fundraisers planned for this year?
“We don’t have any set in stone yet, but I know we are definitely going to do another food related event and more bake sales probably.”
Do you plan to hold leadership positions in the future?
“Possibly. You never know where life is going to take you.” I'm not going to say one day I’m going to be president, but if it happens, awesome!
What does being senior class president mean to you?
“It means a lot. This race was very close, or so I’ve been told.” It meant a lot that people appreciate what I do as president, and they felt that I could do it again for another year.
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