With Bryant’s current graduating Class of 2025 leaving on May 17, it is time for the Class of 2026 to get prepared for their senior year.
The Class of 2025 was the first class to go all out for their class officer campaigns by giving food and goods out in the courtyard, according to Bryant’s former principal, Dr. Ted Edwards. This year, the juniors followed their path and did the same, taking it to a new level.
“I definitely think [the] Class of 2025 set a bar for how fun senior elections and campaigns can be,” Maricka Farr, Class of 2025 president, said. “All the funny TikToks, campaigns, and courtyard set-up we did last year was a blast for the whole school, not just seniors.”
This year, Maci Tharp ran unopposed for president; Dexter Singleton, Olivia Smith and Marian Budu ran for vice president; Tilly Warford and Rowan Barela ran for secretary; Oakley Escobar and Isai Perez ran for treasurer; and Eriel Carter and McKenzie Scheutzle ran for reporter/historian.
Tharp won president, Singleton won vice president, Warford won secretary, Perez won treasurer and Carter won reporter/historian.
The campaigning that the candidates did this year involved promotional videos, hanging up signs, passing out goods throughout the week and handing out food in the courtyard.
“My campaigns definitely won it all for me,” Singleton said. “I got so much attention because my posters were ‘funny’ or ‘interesting’ and because they had Lebron.”
While most candidates brought sweets and goods, Perez took a more unique angle and brought street tacos with chips and salsa.
The campaigning aspect of the elections is widely known as the most interesting part of the election, which is why Tharp decided to campaign despite running unopposed.
“I knew that my campaigning really would not impact the results, but I still wanted to participate in the campaign [because] it’s a great way to meet new people and introduce yourself to your classmates,” Tharp said. “Campaigning is a huge part of any election, so I just went about it the same way as I normally would.”
Polling occurred during the students’ advisory class and was announced at the beginning of fourth period.
“I was not sure what the outcome would be considering my opponent was also an excellent candidate and put lots of effort into her campaign, however I was very glad to have won,” Warford said.
Even while running unopposed, Tharp still felt shocked about getting to be the class president.
“I think there are so many fantastic people in our grade just as worthy [of] this position, so being elected is still a shock to me regardless,” Tharp said.
Before the results of the election were announced, the winners were pulled out of class or lunch.
“When voting opened I was so scared [because] I didn’t know if I was going to win or what the outcome would be, but when I saw Riley’s head pop into the doorway of my 4th period, I was so excited and happy and thankful that I was voted our class treasurer,” Perez said.
The election process was more than just a competition for the candidates; it allowed them to connect with the student body and gain valuable experiences.
“Elections and campaigning can get stressful sometimes, so I wish I would have taken a moment to stop and take it all in,” Tharp said. “These are moments we will never forget.”
