On the 27th of September, the competition in the 10th grade was tight, but only two out of the three candidates could be chosen as leaders. The build-up to the speeches did not include any posters or announcements about their candidacy, however the speeches were the most important part. The speeches were conducted in the school cafeteria, where the candidates tried to prove their leadership skills and responsibility towards the class. At first, all three candidates were hesitant to come out and speak and were pushing each other to go first, but later they all managed to conduct organized and coordinated speeches to their class. Afterwards, students put in their votes in their advisories and the presidents were announced later that evening. So who are the new president and vice-president? Before we answer the question, let’s see how exactly the candidates prepared themselves to get their classmates to vote for them.
Interview with Todo Shevardnadze.
Interviewer: How did you try to get your classmates to vote for you? Did you have any specific strategies?
Todo: I tried asking everyone their main concerns and taking them into consideration because what the majority thinks is not the top priority, you need to include everyone. I didn't really have a long campaign, as I announced my candidacy 2 days prior but still managed to convince them to vote for me. My main goal was to make promises that I was sure I could keep, because I wanted to be realistic. Trust was really important to me as I wanted my classmates to know what was achievable and what wasn’t. The other candidates promised lots of parties but I believe that the voters realized it wasn’t doable.
Interviewer: What would you do differently compared to last year’s presidents?
Todo: Last year, I’d say, the vice-president was involved more. She did very well in organizing events and fulfilled her role as vice-president at a high level, which is something I admired. However, there is one thing I would change: there were miscommunications during the distribution of roles at AAT Day and some people were left unsatisfied. Considering this, I will make sure that most students are heard and I’ll try to include everyone.
Interview with Marita Beridze.
Interviewer: What was your campaign like? How did you convince your classmates to vote for you?
Marita: First of all, I tried to be as realistic as possible — I did not offer anything that would seem great at the moment but unachievable afterwards. Instead I promised to create the school year as fun as I could. I promised that I would think of enjoyable events and execute them. For example, PJ day, a class trip similar to Kachreti, going to a ski resort, ideas for AAT day and so on! My main strategy was to appeal to my classmates' interests and needs.
Interviewer: What are your main plans and goals?
Marita: I plan on making this school year as productive and as joyful as possible. I very often already partake in school activities such as decorating for Christmas, Halloween and AAT day — so with that being said, I'll do my best to participate and plan as best as I can and also, in terms of productivity, help as much as I can.
Interview with Vito Khazaradze.
Interviewer: How did you get your classmates to vote for you?
Vito: I focused on what my classmates care about most—having a great time. I promised to throw the best parties with awesome music and a perfect vibe, which caught their attention right away. I also mentioned longer stays at "Kachreti Ambasadori," which they loved, and a potential trip to Gudauri, making them excited about fun opportunities beyond school. However, looking back, I might have added a few more practical ideas alongside the fun promises to appeal to a wider range of students. While everyone loves a good party, some students might have been looking for improvements related to school activities or academics. Maybe initiatives like better resources for clubs, more school events, or even something like improving the lunch options could have attracted more votes.
The results of the Sophomore elections became known soon enough - President Todo Shevardnadze and vice-President Marita Beridze. Can’t wait to see their success during the year! To see how the Sophomores felt about the elections, we found out whether or not they were satisfied with the results:
Davit Vacharadze, a 10th Grader said:
“I look for someone who will make sure that every student’s voice is heard and more importantly will stay consistent with all his actions and promises.” He believes that Todo is capable of fulfilling that and he trusts that he will be committed to his role as class leader. “He was talking about problems that most of us didn’t even realize we had, and promised solutions for them. So, yes I am happy, I think that our class is in good hands.”
Ninia Tsiklauri, a 10th Grader said:
“In our class, Todo and Marita were chosen as the student council members. I’m close friends with Marita and I wanted her to win the elections as I knew that she’s capable of making our class more fun and connected.” She believes that Marita is purposeful and has good leadership skills. “I’m glad that she’s vice-president, because with her supervision I know we will be in good condition. I don't know Todo that well and how he will manage his job but I think together they will do great and won’t make us regret their presidency.”
The 2024-2025 school year is looking like it’s going to be an interesting one, full of fun activities, good structure, and unforgettable moments. We wish the presidents a productive and successful year!
Edited by: Keto Kapianidze
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