Senior Class Vice President

Farhiya Elmi

Question and Answer

Question #1: What are two initiatives you will work on as a Class Officer next year if you are elected?

I want to focus on making communication clearer so people actually know what’s going on in our grade. A lot of students miss things because the information doesn’t get around fast enough. I want to make updates easier to find and more consistent. I also want to help create events that feel more fun and welcoming. I think we’d get better participation if we listened to what students actually want. I want people to feel like their ideas matter. I’d like to incorporate more student input into planning. I want events to feel like something everyone can enjoy. I also want to make sure no one feels left out. I think having more voices involved will make our events better. I want our grade to feel more connected and informed. Overall, my goal as Vice President is to help our class feel more supported and involved.

Question #4: What advice do you have to stay motivated with attendance and academics throughout the year?

My advice for staying motivated with attendance and academics is to keep things simple and consistent. Checking your grades often helps because you can fix small problems before they turn into big ones. Having a routine makes school feel less stressful and keeps you on track. Even on days you don’t feel like going, showing up makes everything easier than trying to catch up later. Being around people who actually care about their work helps a lot, too. Breaking assignments into smaller steps makes them feel less overwhelming. It also helps to celebrate little wins so you don’t burn yourself out. Reminding yourself of your goals can keep you focused when the year gets tough. And honestly, asking for help when you need it makes a huge difference. Staying motivated isn’t about being perfect; it’s just about trying your best and not giving up on yourself.

Question #5: What are some qualities that make a great leader?

Some qualities that make a great leader are reliability and being someone people can trust. A good leader listens to others rather than acting as if they know everything. They communicate clearly, so people aren’t confused about what’s going on. They stay calm when things get stressful and try to fix problems rather than make them worse. A great leader treats everyone with respect, no matter who they are. They include people and make sure no one feels left out. They’re willing to put in the work and not just take credit. They take responsibility when something goes wrong instead of blaming others. They’re open to new ideas and don’t shut people down. And most importantly, they care about the people they’re leading and actually want to make things better for everyone.

Question #6: What is a leadership quality you have and how will it help you be a good Class Officer at Cottonwood?

One leadership quality I have is my strong communication skills. I’m good at talking to different people and making sure everyone understands what’s going on. I listen to people and actually take in what they’re saying instead of just brushing it off. I’m also reliable, so if I say I’m going to do something, I follow through. That matters in a Class Officer role because people need someone they can trust to get things done. I like keeping things organized and making sure details don’t get lost. I also try to include others and make sure no one feels left out. This helps create a better environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas. Overall, this quality will help me be a good Class Officer because I can communicate clearly, stay on top of responsibilities, and help our class feel more connected.

Question #7: What specific qualifications do you have for your intended position?

Some qualifications I have for this position are my communication skills and my involvement in different parts of the school. I’m good at getting information out clearly so people actually know what’s going on. I listen to people and take their ideas seriously, which helps when planning things for our grade. I’m organized and stay on top of deadlines, so I won’t fall behind on responsibilities. I’m also reliable, and when I say I’ll do something, I actually do it. Being part of clubs and school activities has helped me understand what students want and what works at Cottonwood. All of this helps me feel prepared for this role and ready to represent our class well.

Task

Task: Create a list of at least 4 Homecoming Homeroom activity ideas that you think students would enjoy, and how you think those ideas will create a sense of belonging and unity in the school. Additionally, write two questions you could ask students to answer for the Humans of Cottonwood Instagram account. 

Two questions I’d ask for Humans of Cottonwood are: “What’s something you discovered about yourself this year, whether it was through classes, friends, or just growing as a person?” and “What’s a moment from this school year that really stuck with you or made you feel connected to Cottonwood?”

-Homeroom Scavenger Hunt  

Each homeroom is given the same list of things to find around the school. Only one of each item is placed for every homeroom, so classes are racing to find as many as they can before time runs out. The homeroom that finds the most items wins. It builds unity because students split up, communicate, and help each other search, and people end up teaming with classmates they don’t usually talk to. The whole class gets caught up in the excitement, and it turns into a fast, fun team effort that gets everyone moving and working together.

-Homeroom “Design Your Door” Challenge  

Each homeroom decorates its classroom door to show its class identity or school spirit. Students choose a theme, sketch out ideas, and put everything together using simple materials like paper, markers, and tape. It builds unity because everyone contributes to one shared project, whether they’re drawing, cutting, planning, or helping with the final layout. The finished door feels like something the whole homeroom created together, and it gives the class a sense of pride.

-Spirit Trivia Showdown  

Homerooms compete in a fast-paced trivia game with questions about Cottonwood's history, sports, clubs, teachers, and a few fun pop culture questions mixed in. It builds unity because everyone gets to contribute something they know, whether it’s a random fact, a sports detail, or a pop‑culture answer. It’s low‑pressure but exciting, and the shared hype of trying to get questions right brings the class closer and gets everyone involved.

-Cottonwood “Would You Rather” Wall  

Each homeroom gets a list of Cottonwood‑themed “Would You Rather” questions. The teacher reads them out loud, and students move to different corners of the room based on their choice. It’s quick, easy, and usually leads people to laugh or explain their answers as they compare choices with friends. It builds unity because it gets everyone up and moving, and the questions spark fun, easy conversations that help students learn about each other without any pressure.