• Why secretary?

• qualifications

• goals

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Why secretary?

The distinct role of a secretary is taking minutes, or notes, of meetings to ensure transparency and to serve as a record. Responsibilities shared by other class officers include organizing and communicating events, especially homecoming and fundraisers. A class secretary must work with other officers and leaders to make sure fellow students get the most out of these events.I'm running for secretary because I want to build on Mission's sense of community and improve our time spent at school. As someone who strongly values education, organization, writing, and improving the livelihood of fellow students, running for class secretary is a great opportunity to use all these values to give back to the community by organizing events and communicating with other passionate students. I am genuinely eager to go through such a valuable experience and give everyone something to look forward to at school!

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Why should you vote for me? What are my qualifications?

A secretary must be skilled at writing, efficient and easy to work with, able to take action and organize large events, as well as be on top of communication and transparency. What experiences do I have, and how do I meet those qualities?Music:
I have been playing music for nearly nine years--I started choir in kindergarten, switched to piano for three years, and as of now, I have been playing cello for almost five years. Considering the amount of time musicians spend practicing to improve subtle changes in sound, playing an instrument for so long requires immense dedication and attention to detail. The slow and frustrating process of practicing, filled with seemingly unfixable issues, has also taught me resilience; I have learned how to analyze and overcome difficult obstacles, which are plentiful for a class officer.
Being part of an orchestra has also given me experience with leadership and collaboration. Each musician in an orchestra must listen to others and adjust their playing accordingly, recognize others' skills, and put their full effort for the ensemble to sound good. As principal cellist in Golden State Youth Orchestra, I have an especially important leadership position of giving constructive criticism and serving as a model for other cellists to look to if they encounter issues.
Recently, I participated in CASMEC, the California All-State ensembles, a four-day intensive program filled with rehearsal and culminating in a concert. Rehearsing with eighty other talented musicians and bonding over music demonstrated to me the value of community events and spirit, something I want to build on in Mission. The residential aspect of the program was also an incredibly valuable learning experience. Quickly adapting to the little to no time for rest, I learned responsibility and organization, planning out each day's schedule for my roommates and myself.How are these qualities important for the role of class secretary?
As a year-long commitment with countless challenges, dedication and resilience are crucial to the role of any class officer. As freshmen, handling the responsibilities of class secretary while still learning the ropes of high school systems also requires adaptability. Understanding the importance of community events and spirit, I will work hard to make sure events such as homecoming and fundraisers are enjoyed by the class. The ability to analyze situations and come up with solutions is especially important in overseeing the planning of such large events, which also require strong leadership, collaboration, and organization skills, as well as responsibility and attention to detail for the many easily overlooked aspects of events.Writing:
Ever since 2018, I have been taking various writing classes in argumentative/ persuasive and narrative essays, through which I have much practice in conveying my ideas with clarity and concision. The classes were often intensive, with the submission of a new essay every week, additionally testing my ability to put forward my best work in a short period of time. Writing is especially important to a secretary, where a primary role is to take meeting minutes, or notes. With the purpose being review and communication, clarity is imperative for meeting minutes to be understood properly. Concision and speed are also an important part of taking notes, given the little time to write. Furthermore, the creativity aspect of narrative writing (my preferred type) is of use in designing events and overcoming roadblocks. A document containing an example of my writing is linked in the footer!Speech and Debate:
Along with writing, I have also been taking speech and debate classes for six years, developing valuable skills in communication and collaboration--the ability to clearly articulate ideas--essential for organization and notifying the student body. In debate, you must be able to quickly take notes while coming up with counterarguments, skills important for recording meeting minutes and thinking of solutions to difficult obstacles as a class officer. Participating in many debates with partners, I also have extensive experience in delegating tasks, working efficiently with others to write and plan, and considering different viewpoints to deliver a best-possible speech. Such essential characteristics come into play when advertising events and notifying the student body, a major responsibility of a secretary.Work Ethic:
Efficiency and diligence are some of my strongest qualities. From the most mind- numbing essay prompt to a major, long-term project, I always put my full effort into the task and do as best I can, regardless of low rubric expectations. I never procrastinate; eager to take action and consistently planning out a schedule for assignments and starting on work as soon as I can to maximize my time. This allows me to be thorough with my work and gives me no problems with deadlines; crucial to carrying out enjoyable events. For all the activities and extracurriculars I partake in (e.g. youth orchestras, writing classes, speech and debate, STEM classes/studies, art, related competitions) I enroll out of my own enthusiasm--which also applies to the role of freshman class secretary. I care about all the work I do and strive to complete it to the best of my ability--and to help others do the same--so I genuinely want to implement positive changes for our class in the 2023-2024 school year.

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What are my goals?

Before I list my goals, here are some values I hope to incorporate through their execution.
Community Spirit & Collaboration - Through events; student competitions for ideas such as homecoming backdrop, costumes, and skit narrative; advertising; notifying class of events to increase participation and collaboration
Communication and Efficiency - Swift communication with fellow officers, leaders, and vendors to reach decisions and maximize the time to execute them; easily understood meeting minutes; strict deadlines for events; creation of co27 social media pages (Discord, Instagram, Facebook) and website for transparency with student body for events, fundraisers, sign-ups, etc.Events:
Homecoming - Homecoming is one of--if not the--most important event in high school, and the role of a class officer is practically just to plan homecoming and pay back its debt. An hour-long performance of skits, dances, a massive backdrop, and countless balloons, homecoming takes an incredible amount of time to organize, with planning starting right after elections and continuing through summer. Most freshmen aren't aware of what the event is about, but through my connections to upperclassmen and current class officers, I am familiar with the organization process, which has given me specific plans in mind.
I promise to start arrangement as soon as possible by working with other officers to hold the class theme (movie with a color theme of blue) and class chant vote early in the year, as well as a vote/competition for costume and backdrop designs to gain creative ideas. I will implement strict deadlines for airband and deco teams and send out personal reminders ensure efficiency, as well as communicate between teams for coordination and transparency. As our class has not yet had a homecoming, I will provide frequent information and advertisements on social media to encourage participation.Fundraisers - The second part of the job—paying back debt. To raise money for the co27, I hope to organize consistent fundraisers (e.g. first Friday of every month) to raise funds as per student suggestions (Tea? Mochi donuts? Popsicles? Cinnamon rolls? Maybe even vitamin gummies), so students will have an opportunity to buy anticipated products, in turn sponsoring the school to organize even more fun events. Vendors will be thoroughly researched to ensure the cheapest prices, greatest revenue returns, and quality products--especially class shirts for homecoming, since they must last a long time!Communication & Community:
I have noticed, especially in our class of 2027, that students spend much of their focus on schoolwork and stressing about their future. In light of this, many students, including myself, have disregarded building a sense of community and connection to others in their grade. I plan to not only organize exciting fundraisers and events, but also spread the word through creative flyers and class social media groups to increase participation and shared excitement for events. I will ensure transparency and smooth execution of events by prioritizing swift communication with fellow class officers and leaders, such as airband and deco leaders for homecoming and vendors for fundraisers. Most importantly, I aim to include suggestions from the student body through Google forms in all events (your choice of good food)!Overall, I'm incredibly excited to work hard to create an unforgettable first year of high school!

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testimonials

"Melody Gao is not only one of the most effortlessly likable people I've ever met, but also one of the most capable and inspiring individuals. From our very first meeting, I was struck by her cleverness, ardent spirit, and unwavering dedication to excellence. Melody is a true inspiration to me and to all those around her.
What sets Melody apart is her exceptional attention to detail, impeccable organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple responsibilities with ease. She is a wealth of knowledge in a variety of subjects and is constantly striving to learn more. Her support and encouragement are unwavering, and she has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in those around her.
Furthermore, Melody's warm and approachable personality make it easy to confide in her and seek her counsel. Her ability to listen and provide thoughtful feedback is a testament to her genuine care and concern for others.
If Melody is elected, I have no doubt that she will excel in her role and make a lasting impact. Her passion for excellence and unwavering commitment to her responsibilities are truly unmatched. I wholeheartedly endorse Melody and am honored to have her as friend."
- Siya Singh, robot creator and potat fan"I have had the pleasure of working alongside Melody Gao for the 2022-2023 school year in the Hopkins Jr High Advanced Orchestra, and I can confidently say that she is an exceptional individual. Melody is honest, reliable, organized, and friendly, making her a valuable asset to any team.
Melody's work ethic is unparalleled, and she always goes above and beyond to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. She has a keen eye for detail and is incredibly organized, which allows her to manage multiple tasks with ease. Her reliability is unparalleled, and she consistently meets deadlines and exceeds expectations. I was glad to have her as a roommate and companion in 2023 All State Concert Orchestra.
What truly sets Melody apart is her friendly and approachable personality. She has a natural ability to connect with others, and her positive attitude and willingness to help others make her a joy to work with. She consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that those around her feel supported and valued.
Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend Melody Gao for any position that requires a reliable, organized, and friendly individual. She has been an incredible asset to Advanced Orchestra, and I have no doubt that she will bring the same level of dedication and enthusiasm to any role she takes on."
- Annika Valdez, best luggage gatherer even though shes as short as the bags"You should definitely vote Melody for secretary because she shows many traits of being able to succeed with this big responsibility. She is very encouraging and is always committed to her goals. For example, she has provided me with a lot of information about youth orchestra auditions and other music auditions in general, and is constantly motivating me to audition with her. For example, her orchestra audition appointment was a week before mine, so she told me a lot about her experience and gave me advice and tips. This shows that she isn’t selfish, as auditioning is just a big competition to make it into the few spots available in orchestra (and we both play cello) but she still told me every detail so that I wouldn’t make the same mistake with my audition. Also, Melody is very talented at playing cello and is very musical. Obviously, musical talent requires tons of practicing and commitment, which isn’t very easy to maintain but with her amazing skill in cello, I’m sure she has great determination. Of course, she still manages to turn in all homework assignments and does really well on tests, so she maintains good grades. This shows that she has great time management. Vote Melody for secretary, your school year will be in great hands!!"
- Alanice Tam, fellow orchestra repertoire hater"I have known Melody Gao for 5 years and she still continues to surprise me about how competent she is. She has always been hardworking and trustworthy, which are the necessary qualities of a secretary. Melody demonstrates excellent organizational and time-management skills. Not only is she friendly, she is also great at communication. Melody exceeds all requirements for a perfect secretary. Vote for Melody!!!!!"
- Katelyn Deng, secretly 10'6"Ever since I have known her, Melody always stood out from others, a tribute to her dilligent attitude towards anything she was tasked in. From her musicianship to her schoolwork, Melody always strived for excellence and did her best. As a student she is a studious learner, and as a friend she is a comforting companion. Above all, she is dedicated to everything she is tasked with."
- Cham Yu, earl gray tea drinker"Melody is among the kindest and most hard-working, productive people I have met. She is very kind and always gives 100 percent of her effort to whatever she is doing. In addition, Melody has excellent time management and helps others. Overall, Melody is the most qualified person I know for the position of secretary."
- Cara Wang, a person with actual skills"I met Melody in 8th grade, she was a fellow classmate in science. Though I have not known her long, her characteristics of being caring, organized, and patient have definitely shown through. She has a studious character and is willing to spend her precious time helping those in need. She helped me make up all the notes and work that I had missed throughout the school year. Her actions have demonstrated that she is the best option for secretary. Please vote Melody for secretary!"
- Julianna Kuo, best cat owner"Melody is the perfect candidate for freshman class secretary. She is very organized. Whenever I forget the Chinese homework, she reminds me what it is."
- Yifan Qiu, greatest chess player"I think Melody Gao should be our 9th grade secretary for lots of things. Melody is really smart and has like a 98% in ha. She is hardworking and gets work done. I think Melody is an excellent candidate and you all should vote for her"
- Advaith Dhumal Rao, someone who can almost do math sometimes"Melody is incredibly efficient in planning and organizing events. She works diligently and never fails to accomplish any goals she has. In addition to being productive and dedicated, her effective listening and communication skills make her an excellent candidate for secretary."
- Christine Deng, tall violinist“Melody is an exceptionally capable individual and perfectly demonstrates the core values of a well-performing secretary. The quality of her work reflects the effort and hard work she puts into everything. She always strives to perform beyond expectation and goes out of her way to help others. Also, she has two cats and bias will most definitely be put into play here.”
- Preston Hu, orchestra room infiltrator“Melody has consistently blown me away with her work ethic and perseverance. She has been a gold standard for me in terms of academics even since elementary school. Her persistence in carrying through a given assignment is always amazing. She manages her time extremely well and the work she puts in is always top-quality. Her leadership is also outstanding; never once has she been afraid to take accountability or step up to lead a group of people. I personally have known Melody for at least 5-6 years, and her name has always been memorable to me even through times when I haven’t talked to her in months simply due to how dedicated and hardworking she is. Finally, just to put icing on the cake, Melody is one of the cellists of all time. I can confidently assure any of you reading that she does indeed play cello.”
- Owen Tsai, who does not play cello"A decent secretary must be responsible, organized, and reliable, the bare minimum for someone to be trusted with the post. Melody is all of those things, based on personal experience with the number of times she has lent us white out in the middle of Mrs. Boteilho’s lesson or never really forgets a book for a book check. She gives honest opinions and often follows up with constructive criticism and helpful suggestions. Melody is more than capable of becoming an amazing secretary."
- Ruirui Liu, fellow English class sufferer"Melody Gao is compassionate, intelligent, and strives to do her best at everything she does. Melody is hard working and has excellent penmanship. She often helps me edit my essays, displaying her expertise in writing and remaining patient throughout the process."
- Jake Wang, sometimes okay at music"Melody Gao is one of the most reliable and organized people you will meet. She's always on top of things and generally a very dependable person. Vote Melody for Secretary!"
- Joseph Miao, Chinese teacher's 2nd favorite student (I’m the first)"Melody is a remarkably responsible, hardworking person who will not hesitate to change anything that needs to be changed. You can count on her to make good decisions on your part, because, as far as I know for most people, the decisions y'all make aren't. Melody will make sure next year isn't like this year (yeah, it was bad)."
- Theenash Sengupta, smartest person"melody is one of the lead cellos in the school's advanced orchestra so she has experience in leading a group. she's also very cool and has a cat. melody strives to be productive and finish her homework before doing silly things. vote melody for secretary"
- Billy Zhang, william zhang"Melody Gao would make a fantastic freshman secretary. Not only is she a quick thinker but also an incredibly intelligent individual. Melody is a great listener and problem-solver. To add, she is a great friend who is always there to help when there’s a problem. I have no doubt that she’ll thrive being Missions freshman secretary."
- Jing Yee-Bowen, origami heart folder"Melody is the perfect candidate for secretary. She has very good hand writing and note taking abilities, as well as top notch organization skills. Not only that, but she is also incredibly productive, finishing her homework and other tasks the moment she gets it. She also always comes prepared. For example, I never bring paper to class (which is why I’m not running for secretary), but Melody always brings enough paper for both of us."
- Felicity He, #1 Yuzuru Hanyu fan"Melody has proven to be more than capable of serving as our future secretary. She is among the most diligent and driven people I’ve ever met. Not only does her dedication shine through her academic studies, but it is also seen in her connections with people. I’ve known Melody for over three years, and throughout those years, she has been so caring and reliable. She is a genuine, trustworthy friend and applies this same authenticity to her work. She has incredible time management skills, and it is rare to find her procrastinating. Her productivity would allow her to dedicate more time to helping our community. Melody has a logical way of thinking, yet she finds a way to be one of the funniest and most relatable people I know.
Melody is qualified—if not overqualified for the role of secretary. I have no doubt that she would exceed the expectations of her position because of her reliability, commitment, and time management. Melody would serve as an excellent addition to Mission’s leadership community."
- Marissa Chin, cloud lover"Dear fellow voters,
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Melody Gao who is running for the position of secretary. I have had the pleasure of working with Melody Gao in various capacities over the years, and I can confidently say that she is one of the most dedicated, hardworking, and competent individuals I have ever met.
Gao has always displayed exceptional organizational and note-taking skills, which are two critical qualities required for the position of Secretary. She has a keen eye for detail, are excellent at multitasking, and possess a natural ability to prioritize tasks efficiently. I have seen her manage complex projects with ease, always ensuring that everything is completed on time and to the highest standard.
Furthermore, Gao is an excellent team player and has always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving her community. She is passionate about making a positive impact and have consistently gone above and beyond to support those around her. Her dedication to service is second to none, and I have no doubt that she will bring the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to the role of secretary.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Gao for the position of secretary. She possess all the qualities necessary to excel in this role, and I am confident that she will work tirelessly to support our community's needs. Please join me in voting for Melody Gao.
Sincerely, Danny Lou"
- Danny Lou, who declined editing this to make it less funny