Candidate Interviews 

Candidate Interviews

Disclosure: The Visor reached out to every SCA candidate, those who replied have their answers featured below. 

Atisheh Amirghaffari- Presidential Canidate

Visor: Have you ever held an SCA (DJO or otherwise) position before?

Amirghaffari: I was Vice President Freshman year, Councilor Sophomore year, and Vice President again this year. I have extensive experience navigating the challenges of being an SCA member.

Visor: Why do you want to run for SCA?

Amirghaffari: I want to run for SCA because I genuinely care about our school and our class, and I want to help make our senior year the best it can be. I've been involved in leadership since freshman year, as Vice President, counselor, and Student Ambassador, and each of those experiences showed me how important it is to have leaders who listen, include everyone, and get things done. I’m running because I believe I can bring both the experience and the energy we need to make that happen.

Visor: What are you extracurriculars/ experiences that may help you as an SCA officer?

Amirghaffari: Some of the main experiences that would help me as an SCA officer are my leadership roles over the past few years. I served as Vice President during my freshman year, as a counselor during my sophomore year, and again as Vice President during my junior year, so I am familiar with how student leadership works and what it takes to plan events and represent our class effectively.  I’m also a Student Ambassador, which has helped me practice communication and teamwork, especially when welcoming new students and families to our school. Additionally, I served as the varsity football manager this year, which taught me even more about responsibility, organization, and supporting a team behind the scenes - skills that are essential for an SCA officer.

Visor: What do you hope to accomplish?

Amirghaffari: What I really hope to accomplish as an SCA officer is to help create a year that feels special for everyone. High school has flown by so quickly, and I want our last year to be one where everyone feels included, celebrated, and proud of what we’ve built together.I want to help plan events that people look forward to, traditions that hold meaning, and moments that we’ll remember even after we've left. But more than anything, I want everyone to feel like they matter—that their ideas, their voices, and their experiences are seen and valued. This is our last chance to leave a lasting mark, and I want to ensure it reflects all the friendships, growth, and memories we’ve made. I would be honored to help lead that.

Megan Digges- Secretary Candidate

Visor: Have you ever held an SCA (DJO or otherwise) position before?

Digges: I have never held an SCA board position before besides being a class counselor and advisory rep.

Visor: Why do you want to run for SCA?

Digges: I want to run for SCA because I believe I can bring new ideas and be a voice for everyone at O'Connell. I believe O'Connell has such a great community and I want to be a part of it as much as I can and I believe this is the most beneficial way for my strengths to help our community. 

Visor: What are you extracurriculars/ experiences that may help you as an SCA officer?

Digges: I am apart of many extracurriculars including Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Lacrosse, Superdance Committee, Student Ambassadors, Link Mentors, Teens Against Cancer, and I am on the leadership board for Best Buddies as the Activities Coordinator. I believe all of these have helped me prepare for a leadership role such as this position and I am experienced and fit to qualify with coordinating plans, events, etc.

Visor: What do you hope to accomplish?

Digges: I hope to accomplish more awareness for all of O'Connells great opportunities such as its clubs and charities by informing the school and connecting with everyone. I feel through this connection it gives others trust in their senior class and gives them confidence to branch out to all O'Connell has to offer. Specifically I hope to raise Superdance attendance, club population, and overall more participation in our community by offering more communication and access to all students.

Kailee Kunchick- Secretary Candidate

Visor: Have you ever held an SCA (DJO or otherwise) position before?

Kunchick: Yes I have been President of the Class of 2026 freshman year, I served as a councilor my sophomore year, and this year I am Advisory Representative. 

Visor: Why do you want to run for SCA?

Kunchick: I want to run for SCA because O'Connell has changed my life in many ways and I want people at this school to enjoy their time here and I believe I can help change the school to make it better. Also serving others is what I love to do because I know that God wants me to serve His people and when I do it, I know that I impact that person I served especially as a Student Ambassador when I give tours I know that I impacted that family. 

Visor: What are you extracurriculars/ experiences that may help you as an SCA officer?

Kunchick: I've been on SCA for three years, and I am also the Vice President of the International Thespian Society here at DJO, I am Student Ambassador, Peer mentor, and next year I will be the first student at this school to a Virginia State Thespian Officer which my role is Vice Advocacy. 

Visor: What do you hope to accomplish?

Kunchick: I hope that next year I can accomplish making events even greater than years before, and I want to leave something behind when I graduate that future students will use.

Lance Jayme- Presidential Candidate

Visor: Have you ever held an SCA (DJO or otherwise) position before?

Jayme: I have been the JR Class SCA secretary.

Visor: Why do you want to run for SCA?

Jayme: I want to run because I want to make the school a better place. 

Visor: What are you extracurriculars/ experiences that may help you as an SCA officer?

Jayme: I run track, XC, BBQ Club, Back Yard Club, Amongus Club, AASA, Best Buddies, and Connect 4 Club 

Visor: What do you hope to accomplish?

Jayme: I want to make the school a better place than it already is. 

Hayden McCarty-Presidential Candidate

Visor: Have you ever held an SCA (DJO or otherwise) position before?

McCarty: I have held a SCA position before while I was in middle school at Saint Agnes I was the director of religious affairs and organized many events throughout the school that promoted our Catholic Faith as well as being on the announcements each morning. 

Visor: Why do you want to run for SCA?

McCarty: I want to run for SCA because I love Bishop O'connell and would like to make a lasting impact on the school. I care very deeply about my classmates and peers and want to help them by representing the student body if I am elected as president. 

Visor: What are you extracurriculars/ experiences that may help you as an SCA officer?

McCarty: I participate in both varsity soccer and lacrosse, which teaches me about teamwork, dedication, and time management. These will help me to be a great president because I can work well with others and will complete all my tasks in a diligent and timely manner. I am also on the Biology Club's executive board as a treasurer and president for the next year, through the biology club I have learned how to organize events and structure meetings to ensure the club is as successful as possible. I am also a peer mentor which helps me to be patient and kind to all people, through this course I was able to connect to more people and gain valuable friendships that are present inside and out of the classroom. Lastly I was on the Super Dance Committee, which helped me learn the ins and outs of one of the most special events that O'connell has to offer. Through these activities I have learned valuable lessons that will help me to become a leader of this school and the Bishop O'connell community. 

Visor: What do you hope to accomplish?

McCarty: If I am elected as president I hope to leave a lasting impact on the school. I hope to do this by boosting school spirit with more Friday night football games, a music show dedicated to bringing attention to our schools fine arts programs, as well as instituting a spring fling dance for the students who cannot attend prom. However the most important thing I wish to accomplish is making Super Dance 51 the best Super Dance possible by raising the most money for cystic fibrosis and gaining 100 percent attendance to the dance.