Q & A: Class of 2022: Ansh Parikih

KATELYN COLLEY | September 2, 2018 | Q&A

Devil’s Advocate: What made you want to run in the first place?

ANSH PARIKH: At Bridge, I saw that we were really divided and needed someone to come intervene and get us all together. We needed to see that we aren’t from JWJ, Darnell, or anywhere else, we are all from Stanton now. I want to promote using technology to make sure that we are together and getting to know each other. I found a lot of people online, so we could use that to our advantage.

DA: If you won the election, what would be your first course of action and how would you do it?

AP: Since homecoming is really close now, I want to work with the class in order to form groups and committees for working on our art or getting props. I feel like that would really bring us together for now. I want to budget properly with all of that, as well.

DA: What skills do you have that you think will aid in your presidency?

AP: I’m a social person and I like to get to know people on a personal level. I feel like if I was to be president, I could connect with the class and make sure that they’re heard properly and are supported by friends.

DA: How have the role models in your life influenced your leadership abilities?

AP: They have definitely motivated me to hear from other people and take input. They’ve made me more open and willing to take action regarding things going on with our class and other things in the world. My dad has really been a leader in my life and made a difference to the people around him and in his community.

DA: In what ways would you work with administration and teachers (not just your class)?

AP: They’re the ones I need to get permission from and they need to approve what I do. They condone all of this behavior, so obviously I need to work with them. I want to become a good medium between the students, admin, and teachers to make sure that what we’re doing is right and can be done.

DA: What are some past experiences you have with leadership and how would that help you now?

AP: I led a few multi groups at Darnell and I feel like I got to know the people in those groups very well. Along with that, I produce and market things around Jacksonville, especially in the music area.

DA: What is one weakness you struggle with and how do you plan on overcoming it in your presidency?

AP: Definitely a weakness I have is being sometimes disorganized and mismanaging my time. I really hope to work on that in order to become a better candidate through this position. I want to make sure that I can devote as much time as I do to this presidency, as well as my own school work. Getting across to the whole school might be a problem because not everyone has social media, so I want to make sure everyone just gets the message that I want to put out.

DA: How do you plan on allowing all the students in your class to feel engaged and not separated from your government body?

AP: My whole platform is based on class input and class unity, so I want to make sure everyone’s getting heard. We’re all in this together. We’re the freshman class and we are a family. I really feel like the freshman class is what makes up us and we’re supposed to take our ideas and input from them. So, I want everyone to be heard. I don’t really differentiate between other officers and the class alike.

DA: How would you apply the Ubuntu philosophy to your presidency?

AP: Obviously, Ubuntu is human kindness and we’re a freshman family. We have to be kind to each other and accept each other and I feel like we can promote that through getting to know each other and expanding our friend groups. Over the next school year, we can get to know our classmates better and just be kind to each other. 

DA: Overall, why should freshmen vote for you?

AP: I want to bring our class together and during these few weeks I felt like there’s a lot of tension between people that come from different schools. I just want to work with the class to clear all of that. I feel like I can bring a lot of creative ideas to the table and get them done with the help of our fellow officers, students, admin, and teachers.