Arendell Parrot Academy

2008-2009 Student Government Association
Candidate Page

The Student Government Association at Arendell Parrott Academy underwent significant changes during the 2007-2008 year.  These changes were designed to foster a more serious approach to student government, one which provides a more active leadership role and voice for students. 

Listed below are the ten candidates running for SGA offices for the 2008-2009 school year.  Elections will be held on Friday, April 18th during break.

SGA President

Mike McLaughlin: My name is Mike McLaughlin and I am running for President of the Student Government Association.  The new "renovations" to the SGA election system that we set out to amend last August are about to take hold, and it has been exciting thus far to be a part of SGA as it has been transitioning from the old to the new during my term as the Junior Class Senator.  I feel that I have the leadership, experience, and relationships needed to get the most out of our Student Government during the 2008-2009 shool year.  I have been ambitious in helping out with this year's prom and have made the best out of the new position senator.  I would like to see more non-dancing school sponsored events as well as more school wide charity events, like "A Tree for Every AP" to give back for the masses of paper we use each school year.  I served as my council president at Broyhill Leadership Conference  and I love to take initiative and have the tenacity to get jobs done no matter what it takes.  I am also a member of SERV and the Senior Beta Club.  I believe that I am well suited for the role of President, and am mature and responsible enough to represent Parrott Academy to the fullest.  This is going to be a year full of change and uncharted ground as Dr. Southerland retires and Dr. Mazingo joins on as the new Headmaster, but I believe that I am the ideal person to be trusted as face of the student body throughout these changes.  It would be an honor and a privilege to be able to represent Parrott Academy as President.

William Seymour: My name is William Seymour and I am running for President of the Student Government Association.  As you know, I am currently the SGA's Secretary, and the only non-Senior in the SGA.  I feel that already being an active member of SGA will make me the best transition for the 2008-2009 school year.  I feel that I already represent every student at Parrott.  I am on the Varsity Football team, orchestra, science olympiad team, SERV, and participate in all of the school's musicals.  As there are many great candidates that excel in one of these areas, it is important to me that the leader of our high school must be able to relate to each area before making a decision.  And I believe I am capable of doing so.  Through my sisters' and mother's experiences and conversations, I have been able to gain a perspective from every angle of the Academy.  I am familiar with all the faculty members and know almost every student in the high school and middle school personally.  I promise to run a clean campaign and truthful promises.  Again, I ask you to pick the candidate with experience and the candidate that incorporates all aspects of what being a Patriot really is.

SGA Vice President

Franklin Bowers: My name is Franklin Bowers and I am running for Vice President of the Student Government Association.  I have attended Parrott since kindergarten, and this great school means so much to me.  With many new changes to the system, Student Government Association has greatly improved and become a more serious aspect of school.  SGA plays a critical part of Parrott's activities, and I believe that I would be a great Vice President who would well represent the student body with honor, truth, and initiative.  Because of my outgoing personality, I would be able to reach out to students and find out what they really want in their SGA.  As Vice President, I would take a strong stand on student spirit.  I think it is vital that everyone takes pride in the wonderful opportunity here at Parrott, and people should show it, whether it be in regular everyday activities or at athletic events.  Spirit Week is one of my personal highlights of the school year because it is a time to come together and show your spirit.  Finally, people want someone on SGA who creates a fun and energetic environment for the school year, and I can promise that if I'm Vice President, that would happen.  It is going to be a huge change having the elections in the spring this year, but I think it will be for the better.  Next year has lots of potential to be an exciting and positive year, and I believe I could help as Vice President of the SGA.

Chelsea Viscardi: My name is Chelsea Viscardi and I am running for Vice President of the Student Government Association.  I believe I would be the best candidate for this office because I always try to do as much as I can for any organization I am a part of.  I am determined and have held many leadership roles in the past.  In these roles I have tried to impart new ideas to help the organization.  In the past three years of my high school career I have been class president of the freshman, sophomore, and junior class.  I was also president of the Jr. Beta Club and co-Parliamentarian of the Sr. Beta Club.  As freshman class president I helped organize the Cinderella project which collected prom dresses for girls that could not afford them.  That same year the Jr. Beta Club had its first annual Mix-It-Up day, and an iPod raffle both of which I helped organize.  That year the Jr. Beta Club was able to donate money to Family LItercy, United Cerebral Palsy, Rocking Horse Ranch, and Autism research.  As president of the sophomore class I raised money through sponsoring a middle school dance to help alleviate the stress of the junior class officers in raising money for prom.  As junior class president I am helping to organize prom.  I am also involved in Science Olympiad, SERV, math teams, varsity tennis and swim teams, school plays, and other volunteer activities.  I want to be Vice President because I have always loved Parrott and want to do my part to keep it a thriving school.  If elected, I will try to get the freshmen and sophomore representatives involved in SGA.  I would also like to implement more service projects, such as Give To the Troops.  If elected, during my time on SGA I will work in the best interest of the school.   

SGA Secretary

Mackenzie Davis: My name is Mackenzie Davis and I am running for Secretary of the Student Government Association.  I have attended Parrott Academy since the first grade and have been involved in many school activities.  I feel that my involvement with the school has made me an experienced and well-rounded candidate.  Having been involved in many activities and organizations, I feel it has helped prepare me for this position.  It has made me aware of the priorities and responsibilities of holding an office.  My sophomore year I was the treasurer for our class.  I have also attended the Broyhill Leadership Camp where I sat through rigorous training classes where I gained knowledge on how to be an effective leader and still be respected by my peers.  I have been a presidential scholar in SERV for the past three years and have participated in a variety of activities including organizing a fundraiser for Stop Hunger Now.  We sold Stop Hunger Now t-shirts that not only supported a worthy cause but also encourage school spirit.  I am also a member of the Honor Society, FCA, SADD, and the varsity tennis and basketball teams.  I feel very qualified for this position.  By being involved in all that I do has taught me many valuable qualities.  Having such a crammed schedule I have learned organization skills, time management, and patience.  I have learned to be an effective leader and positively voice my opinions along with others.  I stronly believe in what I say and stand tall to my beliefs.  Holding a government office, I feel that I could offer all the necessary qualities along with enthusiasm.

Amanda King: My name is Amanda King and I am running for Secretary of the Student Government Association.  I am interested in being the secretary of the SGA because I believe I possess the necessary qualities needed for this office in order to make SGA more effective.  As secretary, I would use my organizational skills and work ethic that pushes me to excel to ensure that all endeavors made would run smoothly.  My creativity and willingness to try something new would be beneficial in bringing new ideas to the table.  I would use my good-natured personality and a universal smile to transcend the grade barrier and reach out to my fellow students, listening to any concerns and any suggestions with an open mind to make sure that their voices are heard.  With my leadership skills, I would work together with the students and faculty to move forward in maintaining the atmosphere and principles we all love about Parrott Academy while working to reach exciting new goals.  I was involved in the Cinderella Project my ninth grade year and would like to repeat the project next year.  I have also worked with the Humane Society and am a member of the National Art Honor Society, SERV, the Honor Council, my church youth group, and am the treasurer of the Junior Class.  If elected, I would work to raise money to build an auditorium for our Fine Arts Program, to get Parrott more involved in serving its local communities, and bring more enthusiasm to SGA, sporting events, and school life.  As secretary of SGA, I would challenge not only myself but also the student body and faculty of Parrott to embrace change and to go above and beyond to make the 2008-2009 school year a truly memorable one in Parrott Academy history.

SGA Treasurer

Allie Rawl: My name is Allie Rawl and I am running for Treasurer of the Student Government Association.  As you know it is that time again, time to have another SGA election.  Parrott Academy's SGA is no longer about horsing around, being a popular vote, or missign one day of school, finally it is seen as a more serious committee.  Though I have only been at Parrott for three years, I have been able to see just how great our campus, academics, faculty, students and athletics really are.  Though I hope to initiate new events, I plan to keep the old traditions going.  If elected, I plan to make Parrott Academy a green campus, improve Spirit Week, and who wouldn't love more SGA dances.  Because I am a natural born leader, I was captain of Parrott's varsity volleyball team two years in a row and this year's varsity basketball captain.  I have always been driven to meet and surpass people's expectations and know the responsibilities that come along with being Parrott's SGA treasurer.  I have been taught by my family not only how to manage and conserve money, but also how to make a "dollar out of a penny."  I have also been involved in SERV, FCA, and varsity soccer.  I work extremely well with other people and know that I can help the 2008-2009 SGA officers work together as a team.  If I become the SGA treasurer I don't have the final say in the decision we will be making but I will be sure to have a strong voice and a loud ear hoping to meet my fellow students' needs and expectations.  I honestly believe that with a student body like ours, no matter who wins the election of our SGA officers of 2008-09 will be one to remember.

Victoria Riggs: My name is Victoria Riggs and I am running for Treasurer of the Student Government Association.  I'm particularly drawn to the treasurer's position because the skill set required is one that fits my personal abilities and I could be most productive.  I know that mathematics, creativity, leadership and organization are needed, and that is exactly what I have to offer.  I am a Presidential Scholar in SERV, a member of the Parrott Academy orchestra, varsity soccer palyer and member of the math teams.  I also volunteer as a Spanish instructor for senior citizens and tutor violin and algebra, which have given me the ability to be an effective leader.  Fundraising is an integral part of the SGA and I have an idea that I hope will come to fruition during my tenure, if elected.  To expedite the goal of raising money for a Fine Arts Auditorium I would like to facilitate a concert that will appeal to the youth of our school.  All successful musicians know how difficult it is to get that "big break" and for most, a musical career is only a dream.  If elected, I will seek out a "successful" band to perform a concert as a head liner.  I am aiming high because at Parrott Academy, we CAN do it.  I"ll also coordinate the opener from the musicians at Parrott Academy along with a local musician that is a personal friend of mine.  Ticket sales and concession income will be the result of the event and because Parrott has never done anything like this before, the class of 2008-09 will lay claim to one of the best fundraising efforts of all time!  Whether it has been soccer, orchestra, SERV or regular classroom studies, the best attribute I have is the spirit and enthusiasm of participation.  I'm a people person and Parrott Pride runs deep in my veins.  I sincerely hope you will give me the opportunity serve Parrott as treasurer of the SGA and if elected, I guarantee that no less than 100% will be given.

SGA Parliamentarian

Colin LaPrade: My name is Colin LaPrade and I am running for Parliamentarian of the Student Government Association.  I feel that I am worthy and adequate for the job for several reasons.  For one, I have experience in student government as the ninth grade class president and Jr. Beta Club President.  In addition, I have kept course marks among the highest in my class and have been active in my community and church.  I have also proven myself in leadership capacities.  Finally, I have always strived to maintain a reputation as someone who takes responsibilities seriously, whether it be in athletics, academics, service, or other extracurricular activities.  I will bring this attitude and more to our SGA.  In addition, I will bring fresh, innovative ideas to our student government and embody our new, serious outlook towards the SGA.

Ely Yarborough: My name is Ely Yarborough and I am running for Parliamentarian of the Student Government Association.  Over the years I have held many positions of leadership.  Many have come from my times in Boy Scouts.  The time I spent in Boy Scouts taught me a lot about responsibility and the importance of a strong leader.  These lessons, I can bring in to the SGA to make a stronger SGA that will benefit the entire school.  One of the most important values I have gained from Scouting is coming through with promises I make.  If I make a promise, I do every thing in my power to come through on that promise.  That is what I think has been a weakness of the SGA.  They seem to make extravagant promises to which none of them come true.  Journalism has also prepared me for a position of leadership in the SGA.  I believe that I am a very easy person to talk to so I think I will be able to represent the opinion of the High School as a whole.  I have, as most teachers can vouch for, a very loud voice.  This trait will come in handy if a SGA meeting gets out of control, I could quiet it down.  These traits I have just shared are the reasons that I think I have the ability to be a more affective parliamentarian for our SGA.  I really believe that, if given the chance, I can make a real difference at APA.