Candidate Speeches

The SCA Candidates Speeches

Paul Manetto ('26)

Every year at the beginning of May, Bishop O’Connell gathers to listen to candidates for the Student Council Executive Board give speeches on why they would be the best person for the SCA role. The meeting is held exactly one week before voting, which begins on the 6th of May, 2025. Four positions are available for rising seniors who have filled out the appropriate paperwork: Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President. 

The first office announced was the treasurer who keeps track of SCA Funds, maintains a leger and files financial reports. This year saw three students, Wilson Turk, Sam Lumia and incumbent Junior class treasurer Isabella Cooke, run for the office. Cooke was the first to speak, introducing herself as a member of a Super Dance Committee, president of phycology club and a member of the Model UN Club. She highlighted her love for the school, concluding by saying “I love this school and promise to do my best to make next year the best.” Turk’s speech was the shortest, but shared his goal of being “approachable and responsible” as treasurer, and his hope “to lead by faith and integrity.” The last student running for treasurer was Sam Lumia, who gave an impassioned speech promising to lead with “responsibility, transparently, with a little bit of flame.” Lumia highlighted several policy goals, including club funding, doughnut breakfasts, and the creation of a junior prom. As of April 30th, Lumia is leading in the polls with just under 50% of voters supporting him.

The second slate of speeches were for the role of Secretary, with the elected person being responsible for maintaining and publishing accurate records, maintaining correspondence with the student body, and acting as school historian and class liaison. This office had the most candidates, with Kailee Kunchick, Annalise Baldwin, Finnian Sweeney, Megan Digges, Emma Drummand and Joshua Taliaferro all running. Kailee “Kay” Kunchick, former Freshman Class President, explained that “student council has always been a big thing for me because I love helping out around the school,” and reiterated a common promise to make Superdance 51 the best of all time, setting a $500,000 goal for the next year. Annalise Baldwin drew on her experience as a Varsity Soccer and Basketball athlete to establish her credibility, while also being the first to express the theme of making “next year unforgettable.” Finnian Sweeney said that with him as secretary “nothing gets missed” and he hopes to bring creative ideas to the SCA. He also highlighted Superdance, hoping to increase the size and scale of the event. Megan Digges followed Sweeney, beginning by stating that her experience on Varsity Lacrosse and Field Hockey, as well as her role on the Best Buddies Executive Board, makes her the best candidate for the job. Digges described herself as  “organized and reliable” and that she wanted to turn “plans into action.” Digges called for fun dances, spirit days, and for the 51st Superdance to be the best one yet. Emma Drummond spoke next, making clear she is “fully committed to the school and addressing the needs of all students” and used teamwork as a theme of her campaign, claiming that “a great school is built on teamwork.” She also said that her biggest priority would be staying organized. Joshua Taliaferro was the last candidate to speak, talking about how he “truly care[s] about the progression of our school” and that he would be a hardworking, organized, and dependable choice for Secretary. Taliaferro was the only candidate to propose the idea of a talent show, while also calling for more dress out days. The race for secretary is the closest polled, with Kunchick leading Taliaferro by two percentage points and a large number of still undecided voters. 

The Vice-President takes the role of the president when they are absent and acts as a liaison with the freshman class and this year, only one candidate stands for the position, Elizabeth Gunn. Because Bishop O’Connell prohibits writing in ballots, Gunn is the only candidate sure to take an SCA position next year. Gunn expressed admiration for the past SCA executive boards, remarking about how she “watched how student council did more than plan events and do announcements.” Gunn concluded by expressing her desire to make everyday school life more enjoyable and promised to make next year “amazing.”

The final office announced was the president who sets the agenda, runs SCA meetings and events and acts as the student leader of the school. A surprise to many was popular two term  incumbent president Paul Mullen declining to run for executive board. The first candidate was Atisheh Amirghaffari, the incumbent junior class Vice President, who promised to “listen, show up and do the work that makes a real difference,” highlighting her love for the school and a desire to serve a community that has given her so much. Olivia Snelick Yancey promised “an unforgettable year” and that being president isn’t about  “a title but taking action” including a junior prom, digitized bake sale register, and music in the morning. Lance Jayme, the incumbent secretary, used the theme “help the people” for his speech, emphasizing how he sought to make the school better in both the big and small, with an even better school community. The final candidate was Hayden McCarty, who expressed her love for “the Bishop O’Connell community”, contributing to it as a member of varsity Soccer and Lacrosse, treasurer of Bio Club and as a Peer Mentor. McCarty called for more Friday night football games, a spring fling, and a music festival. Visor polling has Jayme winning in a landslide with a 64% share of votes, with McCarty and Snelick Yancey at 18% and 10% respectively. 

Mrs. Lonegran began the assembly urging students to take executive board elections seriously and to choose candidates who demonstrate dedication and responsibility. This publication does not endorse any particular candidate, but it is the Visor’s hope that  this article helps students to make the right choice for the O’Connell community.