The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

The Student News Site of McLean High School

The Highlander

The full interviews of our SGA and class officers

The full interviews of our SGA and class officers

8 Questions for the leaders of

Student Government Congress:

1. If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
2. What’s a TV show that you’re currently into?
3. Any unique/unusual talents?
4. Cat or dog person?
5. Your favorite quote?
6. Who’s your inspiration?
7. What do you imagine yourself doing when you’re 25 years old?
8. What’s something CRAZY that you really want to do/accomplish in your lifetime?

Student Government Association (SGA) Officers

President: Danny Hecht

1. I would be a bald eagle so I could see what it’s like to fly and dominate the sky.
2.Walking dead.
3. Not particularly. I’m blessed to be able to play the sports I do and play the leadership roles
that I have.
4. Dog person definitely.
5. “Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or lasting.” -John Wooden
6. My granddad; he’s a great example.
7. Hopefully owning my own business; if not, in the military.
8. I would like to travel to every continent including Antarctica. I also want to go skydiving.

Vice-President: Aidan Barringer

1. I would be a direwolf (Game of Thrones reference) because it is mythical and you don’t mess with a direwolf.
2. Right now I am watching the Walking Dead. Although I don’t think the acting or the plot is that great, the cheap zombie thrills are unbeatable in any other zombie story besides 28 Days Later and Unprecedented for a TV series.
3. I can play guitar, and I think I might be able to see the future in some of my dreams.
4. Cats and dogs, both.
5. “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain
6. My inspiration is my mom. She is the best.
7. Hopefully when I’m 25 I’m living in the pacific Northwest and in a grunge band. If not, I would love to pursue a CIA career.
8. I want to live in Antarctica for some time.

Vice-President: Mererose Daniels

1. I’d be a hawk. I once took a personality test that said I was a hawk because I’m a serious and focused person who tells it how it is. I can be easily annoyed, but am usually more mature than others, and also enjoy solitude and being free. Plus it would be awesome to be able to fly!
2. I’m really into the Big Bang Theory right now. It’s really funny but you have to be a bit of a nerd to get the jokes.
3. My unique talent is historical reenacting. I do a lot with Project Enlightenment.
4. I’m a dog person! I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi ^.^
5. “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare
6. My inspiration is my family because my dad came from a very poor family but he, plus all seven of his siblings, got college degrees and have done very well in life. My mom is really the glue that holds all of our crazy lives together and still somehow manages to find time for herself. All of my brothers have gone out and done amazing things, which makes me want to try my best and reach their level. My family’s hard work and strong morals are what have really inspired me and made me into the person I am today.
7. When I’m 25 I imagine I’m going to be either in graduate school getting my masters, or in
some sort of professional career—preferably the military.
8. Something crazy I want to accomplish in my lifetime is to be elected president.

Vice-President: Grayson Haynes

1. If I could be any animal. I’d be…well…an elephant.
2. I don’t really find time to watch television. When I do though, I typically watch rugby highlights.  Watching the pros helps me learn the sport. Key and Peele is an insanely hilarious show, too, and same with the Jon Stewart show and the Colbert Report show.
3. An unusual talent I have is that I can speak some Swahili. Una Zumgumza KiSwahili?
4. Indubitably, a dog person. German Shepherds are easily my favorite kind.
5.”The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his ability to affect those around him.” -Robert Nesta Marley
6. The person who inspires me the most is Nelson Mandela. The man was imprisoned for decades after standing up against an extremely racist government. Once freed, he was elected president of the country. That’s more than inspirational.
7. When I’m 25, I imagine myself either working in some sort of organization that helps develop third world governments or joining the U.S. Navy as an officer.
8. Something crazy I want to achieve in life is to achieve total zen. Or skydive. That’d be fun, too.

Class Officers:

Senior class (2013)

President: Nick Echeverria

1. A monkey.
2. Finishing up the mini-series Band of Brothers.
3. Ummm… I’m really good at paintball? Lol.
4. Definitely a dog person.
5. “Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.” -Shaquille O’Neal
6. My grandpa.
7. Finishing med school.
8. Fly in a wingsuit.

Vice-President: Maia Foster

1. Honestly, I wouldn’t really want to be an animal, but if I had to pick, I’d want to be something relatively smart, so I guess a monkey…
2. I love the show Awkward on MTV! It’s incredibly funny and makes me feel like my life isn’t actually as awkward as I think it is.
3. Well, there’s a video of me rapping to Look At Me Now by Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, and Lil Wayne. I’d like to consider that unique and unusual….
4. Cat!
5. “Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.” -Beatles
6. A little bit of everyone.
7. Hopefully I’ll be in grad school or doing something cool like AmeriCorps.
8. Someday when I’m feeling a little insane I want to buy a plane ticket without knowing where the destination is, just to see where I end up.

Vice President: Aamana Feroze

1. If I could be an animal I would be a dolphin because they’re so peaceful, kind, and loved by all.
2. Game of Thrones!
3. I know 5 different languages.
4. Cat!
5. “Live and let live.”
6. Dad
7. I imagine myself studying business and enjoying life in grad school.
8. Skydive.

Vice-President: Sarah Rindone

1. Well, my favorite animal is the penguin, but I don’t think I would want to be one because I hate being cold.
2. How I Met Your Mother, or Project Runway.
3. I’m good at art.
4. Doggies!
5. “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” -Dr. Suess
6. Either Wayne Theibaud or Mattias Adolfsson. Both of them are my favorite artists and they are amazing.
7. Hopefully, working in a big advertising firm.
8. I really want to visit EVERYWHERE. I’ve lived overseas in the past and I think it’s so cool learning about other cultures and experiencing how other people live.

Vice-President: Taneen Pak-Maghsoudi

1. If I could be any animal I’d probably be a cheetah because they’re graceful, daring, fearless, and wield incredible amounts of respect.
2. I’ve always been committed to one show: Spongebob. I literally don’t watch anything else.
3. I can do a pretty convincing pterodactyl screech! It’s weird. I know.
4. Definitely a dog person. I can’t stand cats.
5. “If not us, who? If not now, when?” -John F. Kennedy
6. Maya Angelou. Her life has shown her incredible strength as a woman, and she has reached what I believe is true peace in her life.
7. I imagine myself traveling and volunteering my time to those in need.
8. I think it’d be really cool to get a different perspective on the earth we live on by viewing it from outer space!

Junior class (2014)

President: Matt Pilsch

1. If I could be any animal I would be a bald eagle, because I love America.
2. A TV show I’m currently into would be Parks and Rec.
3. I can ski backwards.
4. I’m both a cat and dog person.
5.”If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” -movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
6. Ronald Reagan.
7. Making money.
8. Skydiving.

Vice-President: Zawwar Khan

1. A sloth. They are truly worry free and are never in a rush to get anywhere.
2. The Daily Show with John Stewart.
3. I can burp all 50 states, if I remember all of them.
4. Cat person.
5. “You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
6. Giavanni Ruffin, a running back who used to play for ECU and is struggling to go pro.
7. I’d like to be working at a small independent architecture firm while trying to get an advanced degree.
8. B.A.S.E. jump off of anything.

Vice-President: Joanna Thomas

1. I would be a dolphin because they are so friendly and funny and get to swim all the time!
2. New Girl; I love Jess (Zoey Daschenelle) and her humor and all her adorable clothes!
3. I can make a clover with my tongue (kind of unique).
4. Cat person.
5.”A picture is worth a thousand words” -Napoleon Bonaparte
6. My 99-year-old great grandmother, because she is a wonderful listener and has such a good heart.
7. In law school.
8. I want to go skydiving and own an international firm.

Vice-President: Sunhee Bae

1. Homo sapiens sapiens
2. Commercials on CBS at 8 o’clock on Thursdays, interrupted from time to time by parts of the Big Bang Theory.
3. I’m quite ordinary, thank you.
4. I don’t converse with unintelligent creatures.
5.“Cynics are, beneath it all, only idealists with awkwardly high standards.” -Alain de Botton
6. My inspiration is Sébastien-Roch Nicolas de Chamfort.
7. Floating around the galaxy as a dust particle, since the world is coming to an end by the end of this year.
8. Dying. I haven’t done that yet.

Vice-President: Alex Karimi

1. The lion, because it has always been my favorite animal.
2. How I Met Your Mother.
3. Ummmmm… not sure.
4. Dog person, as I have always been allergic to cats; also, dogs are kind, playful animals. Cats are not.
5. “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein
6. Steve Jobs, because he had a dream and he was able to follow it. Also, his innovative ideas and his ability to carry them out changed the world.
7. When I am 25 years old, I imagine that I will either be working towards becoming a doctor, or finishing my master’s degree in business, depending on what I chose to study.
8. Become one of the first civilians to go to space, as I think it is something very unique and adventurous.

Sophomore class (2015)

President: Juan Esteban Baus

1. If I could be an animal I would be a Galapagos turtle, so I could just relax and live on the beach (of course, considering I couldn’t be a dragon).
2. I love to watch soccer, but as a series, one of my favorites is Freidns or the Big Bang Theory
3. I can make an owl sound using my tongue. I can also make a star with my tongue.
4. Definitely a dog person.
5. One of my favorite quotes is “Dream up the kind of world you want to live in. Dream out loud.” –Bono
6. Bono is my inspiration because apart from being a great musician. He’s also a humanitarian who has continuously helped many people in Africa just because of goodwill.
7. When I’m 25, I imagine myself  studying medicine, engineering, architecture, or business.
8. Something I would really like to do in my lifetime is go skydiving and bungee jumping.

Vice-President: Michelle Vaccaro

1. I would be a bluejay because I have always wanted to fly. Also, people don’t hunt bluejays and I don’t want to be hunted.
2. I love TV! My favorite shows are That 70’s Show, George Lopez, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Gossip Girl, Revenge, Desperate Housewives, and Downton Abbey.
3. I can wiggle my nose.
4. Dog of course! Cats eyes creep my out. Also they make me sneeze.
5. “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” -Wayne Gretzky
6. My inspiration is my grandma because she was such a good person and stayed positive even through bad times.
7. When I’m 25, I’ll probably be in grad school somewhere at least 100 miles away from here.
8. I’ve always wanted to jump in the clouds! They look so puffy and soft!

Vice-President: Arjan Peters

1. If I could be an animal, I would be an eagle to represent freedom, and it would be really cool to be able to fly.
2. I am currently into the TV show How I Met Your Mother because it is really funny and it is something to look forward to on Monday nights!
3. A unique talent is that I am ambidextrous. I write with my right hand and throw with my left.
4. I have never had a cat or a dog.
5. “No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings.” -William Blake
6. Michael Jordan.
7. Playing golf around the world.
8. Play golf with Michael Jordan.

Vice-President: Maddie Dalzell

1. I would be a cat because they get to curl up and sleep during the day and all they have to worry about is finding a good patch of sunlight to lie in.
2. I really like the show Psych. I love the humor of it and I love the character Shawn Spencer. The character’s intelligence is fascinating and I love the plots that the show thinks of. It’s always something new!
3. I wouldn’t say I have any unique or unusual talents. I’m not double jointed or anything and I don’t want to be! That sort of thing always creeped me out. 🙂
4. I’m a cat person, as I mentioned earlier. I have two cats at home. They are just the right combination of cuddly and not a lot of work to take care of.
5. I have a lot of favorite quotes but I think that this one by Bryan White is especially true for me. It is: “We never really grow up, only learn how to act in public.” I love this quote because I think it applies a lot to me and my personality. I like to think of myself as fun-loving but there’s always times when that needs to be put aside. But I think everyone always has a little child inside of them. I mean, who doesn’t love to rewatch their favorite Disney movies?
6. I get inspiration from my mom. I think she’s a great mother and she has always been there for me. Also, she works really hard in her job and because of that, she is successful. I think she is an exemplary model for the proverb “hard work pays off.”
7. I imagine myself graduated from college and being successful in a high ranking job. I would like to think that my hard work in high school pays off in the future and gives me the credentials to be successful in the business world especially.
8. I really, really, really want to own a Vespa. But I doubt my mom would let me. Motorcycles are on her You’re-Not-Allowed-To-Do list.

Vice-President: Clare Beahn

1. If I could be an animal I would be a bear, because that is my nickname.
2. My favorite TV show as of now is Hawaii Five-0.
3. I don’t really have any unusual or unique talents.
4. Definitely a dog person.
5. “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” -Bernard Baruch, attributed to Dr. Seuss
6. Tobin Heath.
7. When I am 25 years old I hope to be finishing college and doing something involving sports medicine.
8. Ride the Intimidator. That’s not crazy to some people but for me, it’s pretty crazy.

Freshman class (2016)

President: Ari Ghasemian

1. If I were an animal, I would be the Vineyard Vines whale. He/she/it is a living symbol of class and the amazing people of the class of 2016!
2. Currently, I’m really into Common Law and Suits, on USA. I also like watching Law and Order: SVU.
3. I am very talented at playing the triangle.
4.I am neither a cat person nor a dog person. Sorry everybody.
5. My favorite quote has to be from President Obama’s speech on election night, four years ago. He said, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all thing are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”
6. My inspiration is myself.
7. In 25 years, I imagine myself as an investment banker on Wall Street, wearing suits and ties everyday without being judged.
8.I don’t really have anything CRAZY I really want to do and/or accomplish in my lifetime. I guess I’m not that cool.

Vice-President: Sean Trappen

1. I want to be a bear so I can have fur.
2. I like Spongebob.
3. My talent is being like really social and funny.
4. I like both cats and dogs.
5. “Some say that in his wallet, he keeps a photo of his wallet, and that on his favorite T-shirt, there’s a picture of his favorite T-shirt…” -Jeremy Clarkson
6. Tosh.O
7. When I am 25 I want to have a great paying job.
8. I want to climb Mt. Everest.

Vice-President: Jackie Bruner

1. I would be a dog because they have so much energy and are so playful, and since they love unconditionally they get away with murder.
2. I am currently obsessed with Pretty Little liars! It’s the best show; I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
3. My mom said I only walked on my tiptoes from the first time I was walking until I was four.
4. I am definitely a dog person. I have four!
5. “Your friends are the ones who know you best, but love you anyway.” -Christi Mary Warner
6. My great grandmother because she lived to be 102 years old, and as my dad said when he was a little boy “I hope you live your whole life,” she did!
7. Designing a gorgeous house in the mountains on a lake with an amazing view.
8. I want to build a chocolate house! I wonder how long it will take to melt…

Vice-President: Azita Peters

1. If I could be any animal I would want to be a zebra, because I have a ‘Z’ in my name; plus they have cool stripes!
2. My favorite TV show is the Ellen Degeneres Show because Ellen is kind to everyone and she makes me laugh.
3. My unique/unusual talent is baking desserts. I love baking and sending treats to my brother at school!
4. I like all animals including cats and dogs, but especially any animal in need of a home.
5. “Do your best, forget the rest.” -Tony Horton
6. My inspirations are my older brothers because they are so kind, considerate, and hardworking.
7. When I am 25 years old I will be a successful businesswoman.
8. I want to be a professional songwriter and/or photographer.

Vice-President: Andrew Ko

1. A cat, because I would be able to sleep a lot.
2. Sports Center.
3. Don’t have any talents.
4. Cat.
5. “There’s no doubt. It’s certain that I’ll be 100 percent.”
6. Ji Sung Park.
7. Playing Fifa with my friends.
8. Beat Ben Galdo in Fifa.

Vice-President: Grace Lee

1. If I could be an animal, I would be a swan because then I can travel by land, air, and water.
2. I don’t have cable, so I’m not really into any shows, but I love The Office!
3. [None.]
4. I am a dog person.
5. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind.” -Ghandi
6. [None.]
7. I see myself in medical school when I’m 25.
8. Something crazy I want to do is either to skydive or row through every path of the Potomac River.

Vice-President: Ellie Thomas

1. If I was an  animal I would be a turtle. Slow and steady wins the race!
2. I love House Hunters International! I want to travel all over the world some day.
3. I can balance a spoon on the tip of my nose.
4. DOG!!! I have an adorable Labradoodle named George. He makes me smile every day.
5. “Never, never, never, give up.” -Winston Churchill
6. Shannon Greenland. She is a math teacher at Longfellow who is an author. I have read her books and think it’s amazing that a person can do so many different things at one time and be successful.
7. I can see myself being a children’s book author and illustrator in Seattle. I love that place.
8. Working at Walt Disney World as Ariel for two weeks.

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Highlander
$45
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation supports the McLean High School's independent, award-winning news publication.

More to Discover
Donate to The Highlander
$45
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The Highlander Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search