Q & A: Class of 2023: Hazel Joseph

EDEN KERSHNER | SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 | NEWS

Devil’s Advocate: What middle school did you go to?

Hazel Joseph: I went to Mandarin Middle School.

D.A.: What made you decide to run for class president?

H.J.: Ever since I heard of Stanton, back at Mandarin Middle, I’ve had this spark, this determination and confidence. I’m very strong-willed toward this position, so all this made me want to lead, because that’s what I like to do. But lead in a team. I’m a team player. But, as an individual, I am very strong. And I will make a very good president.

D.A.: Were there any leadership positions at Mandarin?

H.J.: Yes, there were. There were a lot of clubs with leadership positions, and I was in the National Junior Honor Society, so I got elected as the president, and during that tenure, we did a lot of community service, fundraisers, and other various activities. It was amazing, because as an individual, it was really good to lead them, and with a team, it was really fun to come up with fun plans for our school, for NJHS, and everything in general. So this made me love being a president or to lead.

D.A.: What do you like about being in a leadership position?

H.J.: Being in a leadership position? I wouldn’t say it’s the power or controlling them, but I will say it’s kind of a huge responsibility to make yourself stand out, and to make freshmen stand out. To make them look good, and to help them out. Not just the school, but the society in general.

D.A.: What do you think sets you apart from the other three candidates?

H.J.: I wouldn’t say they’re not qualified enough, because that would just be me [undermining] them, which I would never do, which a strong leader never does. They — I see them as the rest of the freshmen, a person who I can and will help. So, I’m not gonna say anything bad about them or how I’m better than them, because I don’t want to undermine them.

D.A.: How are you trying to appeal to the freshman voters?

H.J.: How I’m trying to appeal to them is of course, by telling them I’m a strong candidate, and that they should definitely choose me as their president. Because, I will help them out in any sort of activities, such as pep rallies, and any events like hangouts; or anything to socially interact with each other instead of just being one individual.

D.A.: What traits do you think are important for a freshman class president to have?

H.J.: I would say it’s the confidence. It’s the confidence that matters. Determination, a person that values their responsibility, a person that’s strong-willed, and is very determined towards their position, and all of those qualities are in me. I can make a very good leader. I can make an amazing president.

D.A.: What ideas do you have that you think your class could benefit from, and how do you plan on implementing them?

H.J.: Of course we can start few clubs for socially interacting, and I’m thinking of doing Habitat for Humanity. I know it’s not really a social thing, but students will get together in it, and they will go out into society and help others out. That will make them feel like they are a team with other freshmen. It will make them interact more and I have many other plans like tutoring sessions for students who need help. And Habitat for Humanity, like I mentioned, and all of other various activities. And for sure, winning at the pep rallies, and making the pep rallies go right.