As NYJC anxiously awaits the results of the 32nd Student Council Presidental Elections, NYConnexions gets the first scoops with 2 of the presidential nominees. We speak to Ye Yimei and Joel Heng, as they share with us their hopes and plans for NYJC in running for the position of President in the 32nd Student Council.

                                       
Ye Yimei                                                                                        Joel Heng

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Councilors are the epitome of role models. What outstanding qualities do you possess that will lead and shape a successful 32nd Student Council?

Yimei: Basically, I think that due to my past experiences, having been in the Student Council and EXCO since I was in Secondary One, I have gained a lot of experiences and have gone through a lot of training. I can say that I’m confident of myself and unafraid to taking the initiative. I also have the confidence to lead others, and I think these qualities will make me a good councilor. I will put in my best effort and I hope to bring out the best in everyone.

Joel: I suppose I am a good listener. I am willing to listen to suggestions from everyone including my fellow councilors. Also, I feel that I can provide advice to them if I can. I also find myself as a decisive person who can organize matters well while also being able to look at the bigger picture.

Who do you think, among the four nominees, is the best suited candidate for the title of president and why?

Yimei: I think Joel is a good choice. The first impression he gave me was someone shy; someone who doesn’t speak up a lot. But during the council camp, I’ve seen him grow and progress a lot and he’s really stepped out of his comfort zone.

Joel: I think that Yimei is a good choice. She was the head councilor in her secondary school. Besides that, in the recent councilor activities, she has taken the initiative to lead us. She even messaged us to inform us of the activities planned.

If you were president of the 32nd Student Council, what are the possible changes that you would make to enhance college life at NYJC?

Yimei: I’ll try to make it more fun through thinking up new ideas and submitting proposals for them. I’ll listen to student’s views and look into what they really want and what they really need. That’s the first thing you can step out to do in achieving a better college life. Sometimes, there are matters that students don’t dare to speak up, and those are possibly their true views, opinions that are not restricted to just politically correct views. I’ll look into their needs and wants and try to attend to these needs to make their college life more enjoyable.

Joel: I believe that one of the main changes will be friends. At NYJC, I hope that we will know each other well enough in time to come, such that after graduation we would have a wide contact network. This would be beneficial as it creates a friendlier atmosphere in the school. Life at NYJC will be more peaceful for us.

Passion is a key to success. Why did you choose to be a councilor and not choose the other CCAs that are being offered in NYJC?

Yimei: I have the passion for Council. The satisfaction I get from Council; it’s like the sense of achievement after an event. You see the event start from scratch and you slowly progress on and see it being planned and carried out successfully. You get to work with teammates and your committee and bond with them. You can learn a lot of new things from them. There are things you do in council that maybe other CCAs cannot offer. Every CCA has its own good points, but the student council is a place I see myself growing in.

Joel: like planning more to sense the satisfaction of success when a plan has been executed perfectly without any hiccups or setbacks. Also, in my secondary school, I have not been able to contribute significantly. I want to bring about positive changes for everyone at NYJC.

If your participation as a councilor will not be reflected in your SGC after 2 years, will you still choose to be a councilor?

Yimei: Yes, why not? It’s something I do out of real interest and passion. It’s not just for the SGC itself. The SGC is just a piece of paper. My CCA is something I think I will enjoy and I will excel in.

Joel: Yes. I am not in the student council for the SGC. As I have mentioned earlier, I like planning and sense satisfaction from successful planning. I want to do my part and engage in the joy of student council.

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With that, NYConnexions wishes all presidential nominees the very best in the elections and look forward to seeing the positive changes that the 32nd Student Council will bring to NYJC.

This interview is brought to you by Stephenie and Diyanah of NYCX.