Each year, Tualatin’s Associated Student Body (ASB) hosts an election to elect new officers for the following year. As the election approaches on April 4, The Wolf sat down with current ASB president Kayla Vo and vice president Sky Rowe to discuss their experience with leadership and what they look for in candidates for the future of the school community.
What do you look for in a candidate running for an officer position in ASB?
Vo: Strong candidates should have fundamental skills like empathy, responsibility and initiative. There’s a lot of growth and change that comes with leadership, so handling criticism is important. Leadership should be full of genuine passion to give to others.
Rowe: I look for someone who is determined and is ready to work. We are a group that fully supports all other groups in the school, and that can be intense and stressful sometimes, so someone who is flexible and can think on the spot is really valued. There are also times where you need to make sacrifices, so someone who is willing to do so or think outside of the box to make things work is important, as well.
As a previous ASB officer, what have you done specifically that improved or bettered the school community?
Vo: Being president, I hear the most backlash about lack of spirit, but something I notice is that everyone has been touched by an ASB event. It’s high-fiving Wolfie, attending dances and assemblies, dressing up or getting information from our Instagram. I’ve seen so many smiles come from small things I’ve been a part of leading, and I know that ASB events and fundraisers change at least a few people’s days.
Rowe: My main focus during my years in ASB has been to build our school into a body that is passionate about giving back to our community outside of school. Being active members in our community and giving back is something I really value and am passionate about, so things like canned food drives, hygiene drives, hosting blood drives, raising money for breast cancer awareness and many more are all things I have helped with. Because of these events I have put on, I have helped establish outside relationships with Tualatin High School for many years to come.
What skills have you gained from being in ASB?
Vo: Understanding others within leadership and outside of it. Being able to connect with different groups of people has become second nature, and I feel like a better person because of all the people I’ve met through my position.
Rowe: I think the biggest skill I have learned from being in ASB is how to build relationships with people. I have always thought of myself as an independent worker, but ASB has made me realize that sometimes I can’t do everything alone, and that is perfectly okay. When you gain support and relationships with others, oftentimes, success is more rewarding because of all the hard work put in as a team.
