SBO President

don't be a chicken, vote "hen"-ry for president

Hi, I'm Henry Bowles, and I'm running for Student Body President because I have a genuine love for Cottonwood and a commitment to creating opportunities for growth and connection. While in office, I hope to uphold the pillars of being a GREAT Colt and give students and faculty greater input on school-wide decisions. Having served in student government for the past three years and joining Utah Student Officers this year, I have learned how to collaborate effectively, listen to diverse perspectives, and lead with integrity, and I am committed to creating an inclusive environment where every student feels entitled to make a difference. This position would allow me to represent Cottonwood in a positive and innovative manner by providing me a platform to encourage students to emphasize community, make new friends, and participate in school-sanctioned activities. I aim to be a catalyst for connections across grades and foster a stronger, more engaged student body.

Candidate Video

Question and Answer

Question #1: What are two initiatives you will work on as an SBO next year if you are elected?

The first initiative I would work on is creating a stronger system of student representation across all groups at Cottonwood. Currently, many decisions about dance themes, tailgates, assemblies, and other student activities are made primarily within student government. While these decisions are made with good intentions, our true purpose is to represent and serve the entire student body. To achieve this goal, I would prioritize gathering feedback from a wide range of students across different grades, activities, and social groups via surveys and polls. By listening to their ideas and incorporating their input into our planning, we can ensure that more students feel comfortable and included in the events we create. Giving students a greater voice in these decisions would help our activities better reflect the interests of the entire Cottonwood community.
The second initiative I would work on is teaching frequent leadership lessons in the class and homeroom to help maintain the positivity, excitement, and motivation to lead that we feel at the beginning of the school year. Through my experience helping lead the UASC State Council conferences and attending various other leadership camps, I am a testament to how powerful leadership lessons can be for keeping leaders motivated and purpose driven. These lessons would reinforce our mission and help keep us grounded as leaders rather than just “doing it for the title.” As part of these lessons, we could also create opportunities for open discussions within student government about challenges that may be setting us back. These open, honest, and safe conversations would foster diverse perspectives and allow everyone to be heard.

Question #2: What does it mean to you to be a Colt?

I believe that being a Colt means taking advantage of the opportunities that Cottonwood has to offer. Whether it's sports, clubs, dances, tailgates, academics, internships, or camps, being a Colt means stepping outside of your comfort zone and getting involved. These experiences help shape us into the G.R.E.A.T. individuals who positively contribute to the Cottonwood community. On a wider scale, being a Colt is more than just participation. It means putting connections before convenience and giving people the benefit of the doubt. It means showing up, supporting each other, and building genuine relationships. When we take the time to help others, even if it takes extra effort or patience, we strengthen our community and build a legacy of what it truly means to represent Cottonwood.

Question #3: What is one way you would develop activities to make everyone at Cottonwood feel welcome and included?

One way I would help make activities more welcoming and inclusive at Cottonwood is by regularly asking students for feedback through short surveys or suggestion forms. This would help student government understand what different groups at Cottonwood enjoy and what would make them feel more inclined to participate. Using that feedback, activities would be better arranged to represent a wider variety of interests so more students feel seen and included. Making sure everyone’s voice is heard would help create events where all students feel welcome to participate.

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

My biggest piece of advice is to surround yourself with people who are motivated and focused, because their energy naturally rubs off on you. When you spend time around people who care about their goals and take school seriously, it encourages you to improve, build better habits, and develop a stronger mindset, ultimately pushing you to take greater accountability for your schoolwork. Additionally, I think that many students need to shift their perspective on school from “I have to do this” to “I GET to be in school and contribute to my future.” A lot of people become stressed and burned out because they put so much pressure on getting a good grade rather than focusing on progress and growth. Changing that mindset will make school feel less like a burden and more like an opportunity.

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

The most important quality that makes a great leader is the ability to keep the bigger picture in mind in everything they do. It’s so easy for people to get wrapped up in making decisions and executing big ideas that they unintentionally drift away from the main objective, so staying grounded in the overall vision is essential. Other qualities that are important in a leader include hard work, productivity, motivation, humility, and the ability to navigate difficult conversations.

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

I think my strongest quality is my commitment. When I commit to something, I put full effort and attention into it. This is especially evident in school where I challenge myself with rigorous classes. I believe my accomplishments are not accidental, but rather a reflection of discipline, time management, and willingness to work hard in and out of school to get the results I want. This will help me as an SBO for Cottonwood because I will put this position before everything, and be dedicated to fulfilling the SBO President duties and overall desires for Cottonwood. When I am passionate about something, I invest fully in it and look for every opportunity to improve and make a meaningful impact. Commitment and dedication also allows me to take initiative early on, show up for people when it matters most, and clearly and effectively communicate with collaborators. I understand that this role would require intentional prioritization, and am fully prepared to structure my commitments accordingly.

Resume

One-minute speech

Task

SBO President Task

Create a sample team building activity that you would lead during a Student Government training day. Include your plan for leading your SBOs and the rest of Student Government through this activity and how it could help the group work as a team. In addition, create a week of daily agendas for both the Student Government Homeroom class and the Student Government Class that would take place leading up to Homecoming Week.

Part 1 - Mini Leadership Olympics

This is a leadership based olympics with fun games focused on team building. Each class will rotate through the games until all games by all classes have been completed. Before the activity begins, I would meet with the SBOs and advisors and assign each of them a game station and make sure they understand the rules and their role in keeping time, explaining instructions, and encouraging participation. During the rotations I would walk around to check in with each group and help solve problems if teams get stuck.

“Opening Ceremony”

Altogether SBO's explain games. Then, separate and start the timer. Each game will go for 10 minutes. (~70 min activity)

Leadership Game Rotations

Game 1 - Island Flip: Everyone on the team starts standing on a tarp. The goal is to flip the tarp completely over while everyone is still standing on it. No one can step off the tarp at any point. If someone touches the grass or floor, the team has to restart. Teams can try as many times as they want until the timer ends. Keep track of the fastest successful time.

Game 2 - Upside-down Limbo: Everyone in the group stands in a line holding hands. The team has to get everyone over a string stretched between two trees (or posts) without letting go of hands. The string will be high enough that you can’t just step over it, so the group will have to help lift or guide each other over. If the string is touched or hands are let go, the team starts over. Teams can keep trying until the timer runs out.

Game 3 - Staggered Telephone: Toys or small objects are scattered around in the grass. The group splits into two teams of four. Each team forms a communication chain. The first person can see the toys but cannot talk. They can only use hand signals to communicate with the second person. The second person faces them and then quietly tells the directions to the third person. The third person gives instructions to the fourth person out loud, who is blindfolded and has to find the toys based only on what they hear. Teams can do multiple rounds, but people should switch roles so everyone gets a different job

Game 4 - Minefield: Spoons, forks, and knives are scattered on the ground. Spoons are worth 1 point, forks are worth 2 points, and knives mean the round restarts. The group splits into two teams. One person is blindfolded while the rest of their team gives directions to help them move through the area and pick up utensils while avoiding the knives. If someone picks up a knife and the game restarts, a new member must be the blindfolded one. The goal is to get as many points as possible before the timer ends.

Game 5 - Human Knot: Everyone stands in a circle and grabs two different people’s hands across the circle to make a knot. The goal is to untangle the group without letting go of hands. If anyone lets go, the team has to restart. Teams can try as many times as they want until the timer runs out. Keep track of the fastest time.

“Closing Ceremony”

After every class finishes all the stations, add up the scores and announce the winning team. Finish with a quick discussion about what each game required—things like communication, patience, problem solving, and teamwork. Talk about how those same skills help make a strong student government and how everyone can use them throughout the year.

Part 2 - Homecoming Week Agendas

Homeroom Agenda

Monday:

Short leadership lesson led by SBO’s on positive attitudes
Gather ideas for spirit themes, tailgate events, and other student related activities from student government members
Preview Homecoming week schedule
Start homecoming week posters for all events including tailgate, dance, sports, assembly - physical and digital

Tuesday:

Live Announcements
Introduce Homecoming assembly agenda
Get into positions and discuss roles in the assembly. Dance officers discuss dance and let other positions know if they need help.
Continue working on homecoming week posters

Wednesday:

Get with grade to discuss assembly game/involvement. Presidents will give out specific roles to their officers (speaking, setting up, etc.)
Weekly student government check-in - questions, concerns, exciting news
Work on posters

Thursday:

Live Announcements
SBO’s meet with everyone individually to clarify/solidify roles and expectations of all officers.
Homeroom visit information
Get posters approved and hung

Class Agenda

Monday:

Gather ideas for spirit themes, tailgate events, and other student related activities from surveys and polls completed by students and teachers
Class check in - who can make it to homecoming week events
Reach out to groups that need help (cheer, football, drill, etc.)
SBO’s discuss their roles and responsibilities for the assembly (ex. vice presidents lead homeroom visits, artists draw poster ideas, dance solidifies theme and decoration for dance)
Outline an assembly schedule and possible activities/events
Give individual roles to officers (speaking, setting up, etc.)

Tuesday: N/A

Wednesday:

Round table discussion on how to stay positive under stress and during the hectic week to come. Share with the class.
Connect with admin and anyone else involved next week and ask questions, concerns, permissions, etc.
Presidents lead a discussion on games that their grade will do. Choose and let SBO’s know.
Gather information and flyers for homeroom visits next week
Work on position specific responsibilities

Thursday: N/A

Friday:

Solidify assembly schedule and events
Come up with announcements for next week
Mental run through of the assembly with whole class
Check in with dance about decor, setup takedown, etc.
Check in with stampede and communications about announcements, posts, and themes
Tie up lose ends

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