On March 18, Stevenson students will vote on class board candidates for their grade level during the activity period to determine the class board presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and public relations officers for the 2025–2026 school year.

Through the 5-Star app, students will be able to access and vote in the ballots containing each candidate for their grade level, and the winning candidates will be subsequently determined by popular vote. Students can choose one president, two vice presidents, one secretary, and one public relations officer, and the ballot will include video statements from each candidate to help students make their choices. 

As part of their campaign, candidates usually include the vision and goals they have or had for their grade level with the class board position they are running for.

“We haven’t had a freshmen-related activity, but we’ve been doing Homecoming (HoCo) and Winterfest decoration, and then we had a lunchtime activity, but we’re hoping to have a spring activity to do for just the freshmen in a few months,” Grace Shin ’28, Sophomore Class Board presidential candidate said. “Next year, we plan to do more things, hopefully in the fall and spring.”

According to Shin, the requirements for running for a position include meeting a certain threshold attendance percentage and decorating for both HoCo and Winterfest, allowing students to run regardless of if they had run or held positions in previous years. 

While Lucca Bertoldo ’26, Senior Class Board vice president candidate, feels nervous about running because he has never run for a position previously, he still enjoys the election procedure.

“Initially, I was under a little bit of stress…especially since it’s my first time running and I wasn’t really sure what it’s about,” Bertoldo said. “But, now I’m kind of enjoying this whole running process.”

Regardless of their prior experiences in Class Board, to give more insight into each candidate, each candidate gives video statements on the ballots about why they want to run for their position of interest. For Shin, not only does she want to increase involvement in grade-related activities, but she also hopes to build a greater sense of community among her grade level.

“In Class Board, you get to spread awareness about your social events at school and spread positivity around your grade,” Shin said. “I really like it because I get to make an impact in our grade, and we get to bring our class closer together by hosting fun activities. I want to spread positivity, being nice to others, and helping people feel included within your group.”

Bertoldo also sees Class Board as a space that allows him to collaborate with other students, creditting Class Board for introducing him to many students and helping forge friendships. Despite how open and friendly Class Board is, Bertoldo also is concerned about the competitiveness between candidates and executive board members for this year’s elections. 

As not every candidate who runs will get a position, Bertoldo worries about how relationships and friendships will be affected based on who wins each position following the elections.

“I’ve seen a couple instances of toxicity in Class Board, and it’s just people talking behind other people’s backs, especially when the whole candidates list came out,” Bertoldo said. “I’ve seen people on the current board themselves talking bad about other people who are running against them and the fear of being taken over.”

While each candidate is not guaranteed any position, Shin is still grateful for running, even if she does not win her position. Although she may not be able to pursue her goals to the fullest extent if she loses, Shin appreciates learning the goals of the other Sophomore Class Board presidential candidates and trusts them in carrying out their shared goals.

“I wouldn’t be able to represent myself as much, but I think I could still give my ideas to the future president if I do not win,” Shin said. “So, I’m not very concerned about it because I think we all have the same views. Also, the other candidates running for president are super nice, and I’m really happy that I’m running with them because it’s very fun for all of us.”

Like Shin, Bertoldo also acknowledges that he may not win as one of the Senior Class Board vice presidents after this year’s elections. Ultimately, however, Bertoldo is still hopeful that next year’s executive board will continue to emphasize inclusivity and maintain its warm environment that Bertoldo found inviting and meaningful.

“Class Board is supposed to be promoting inclusivity,” Bertoldo said. “I hope that the new executive board members and officers are going to be able to bring a new environment that promotes the idea that regardless of whether or not you won this spot or whatever, it’s still important that this club revolves around community. Regardless of whether I win or lose, I’m still going to be attending Class Board because I really like the environment there, and a lot of my friends are in that club.”