Written By: Claira D. and Josie M.
KCI, are you ready to meet your 2025-2026 Co-Primes? Learn a little bit more about Madi Arndt and Chiamaka Emeadi down below!
Q: What has your experience been like at KCI ?
Chiamaka Emeadi: “From the moment I joined the Raider community in grade nine, I made it my goal to get as involved as possible. I’ve been involved with KCI TAC, Concert Band, the Senior Wind Ensemble as a clarinetist, in Leadership, KCI DECA, KCI ROAM, a writer in The Edge, and many other clubs that taught me the importance of community and self-growth!”
Madi Arndt: “Ever since grade nine I have had one goal for myself and that was to get involved. In a way, being so involved with our school has made me who I am today. All my experiences with classes, sports, drama productions, and leadership have really just been a huge opportunity for self-growth. The community and spirit at KCI is unrivalled, and I think that above all else has defined my experience at KCI.”
Q: What will you be doing after high school ?
M.A. : “I have applied to many programs and universities, but I would love to go to UOttawa specifically for their co-op opportunities working within the government. Queens and UofT are also on my radar. My dream job would be to become a human rights lawyer, or work in politics in some capacity.”
C.E. : “At the moment, the University of Toronto is my dream school. I am hoping to attend its Rotman School of Business! I would love to become either a corporate or immigration lawyer, or take the corporate career path in finance or marketing.”
Q: Why did you want to become a Co-Prime ?
C.E. : “For many different reasons; the most important one being that I wanted to become someone who ‘grade nine me’ would have needed the most, and becoming co-prime allowed me to use my ideas in order to help others!”
M.A. : “My experiences at this school have made me who I am today, and I wanted to continue to get involved and give back in any way I could. I had a lot of ideas that I knew would genuinely benefit students, and becoming co-prime has given me the platform to implement the ideas.”
Q: When did you decide you wanted to become a co-prime ?
M.A. : “In grade nine it was my dream, but back then, I didn’t really believe that it was in my capabilities. It seemed like this really far off, unattainable achievement. It wasn’t until grade ten that I started believing that this could be an actual, achievable goal to work towards.”
C. E. : “ To be honest, I did not necessarily want to become a co-prime until relatively recently, after the Student Trustee elections. When I did not end up winning, I saw my dreams since grade nine as unattainable, and began to doubt my experience, capabilities, and potential as a student leader. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if not for a close friend encouraging me to apply back in April!”
Q: What was the process like to become a Co-Prime ?
C.E. : “It started off with a general application! From grade nine when I ventured the furthest I’d ever been out of my comfort zone by competing in DECA and joined The Edge as a student writer, teaching lower-income students and older individuals alike the basics of violin in grade ten, participating in cross-country, concert band and leadership conferences in grade eleven, and even taking initiative to help city staff to draft Kitchener’s 2051 Official Plan in grade twelve! Discovering what involvements you are truly passionate about are what make the best candidates.”
M.A. : “I’ve found that most people believe that the process begins in the spring of your grade eleven year. It starts when you put yourself out there, and be consistent with your involvements, self growth, and connections to your peers. Officially, the process looks like an application. It’s a point system where you include everything done over the course of your time at KCI. Once I was shortlisted for the top four. Then I campaigned for one fever dream of an election week, but in the end it was all worth it.”
Q: What are some pros-and-cons of being a Co-Prime ?
Pros
M.A. : “There are many pros to being a co-prime. For one, you get to meet and connect with so many new people. As always, I attend many KCI events, but I also get to assist in more of the behind-the-scenes leadership and planning side prior to the events. Both Chi and I are watching our two initiatives (peer tutoring and solar-powered charging stations) come to life, which has been incredible. Filming spoof videos and speaking at assemblies is very fun, too!”
Cons
C.E. : “The limited downtime in between the implementation of our initiatives, school work, and extracurriculars. While pretty much every senior student learns to find the right balance between all their commitments, it can be hard to remember that I am also a student, teenager, and volunteer in many different areas! Giving myself grace and working on my time management skills is key in these situations, and both Madi and I find that it helps to talk to one another and others when things get too stressful.”
Q: What is your biggest piece of advice for those who are considering running for Co-Prime in the future ?
C.E. : “GET INVOLVED! I 100% recommend that grade nine and ten students get as involved as possible in whatever clubs or sports pique their interests, and then pick a few to stick to as they progress in their high school career. Have an open mind and a willingness to learn, and put more focus on the journey throughout your three years, and less on the ambitious (yet feasible!) goal of becoming co-prime!
M. A. : “Being Co-Prime is an incredible opportunity and definitely an ambitious, but rewarding goal to have, but don’t let it run your first three years of high school. Get involved for the fun of it! Additionally, make sure you’re connecting with other students, especially grade nines. It is the support from your peers that will not only get you through high school and create meaningful connections, but will make a difference in the election process.”
Q: What were the goals you had in mind for our school's future when you decided you wanted to run for co-prime ? Do you have any plans that we have yet to see coming this year ?
M.A. : “Peer Tutoring and solar-powered charging stations are our current priority right now. We have been partnering with guidance and a grade nine tech class to make these a reality. Applications for peer tutors are still open, and peer tutoring will be accessible to grade nines as a part of the grade nine resource hubs in November. Additionally, we will be having three different solar-powered Chromebook charging stations starting up in November.”
Q: What is the best thing about being a KCI Raider in your opinion ?
C.E. : “Our school’s spirit is literally unmatched! I am so proud of our razzle-dazzle and the way the Raiders go all out for our assemblies, conferences, and sporting events! We also have a lovely community - there is something for everyone to get involved in, regardless of your interests.”
M.A. : “The spirit and the community. It is truly one of a kind.”
KCI is excited to see what Madi and Chiamaka have in store this year for the school community!