The Picture Behind the Lens

Running week resembles the campaigning period Mexican Presidential Candidates undertake before the elections, where the witty Instagram attacks and mountains of free food are under the spotlight.

A year after the infamous Grey vs. Purple elections, the ghost of Running Week still haunts me, but not for the reasons you might think.

As I look at the eager and passionate Student Council presidential candidates, I can’t help but wonder what their hopes and dreams are for next year. Yes, the idea of representing the entire high-school student body is something that definitely arouses interest. Imagining hearing your color on the loudspeaker may give you goosebumps, but I wonder if it is worth it.

The competitiveness and structure of Student Council has become dangerously similar to that of our government. Running week resembles the campaigning period Mexican Presidential Candidates undertake before the elections, where the witty Instagram attacks and mountains of free food are under the spotlight. You can count on the drama and the gossip, as they have become an essential part of the Student Council process.

I am not one to talk after the small mess I was part of last elections, but a year after experiencing defeat, I have gained some clarity on the topic. The truth is that Student Council has veered off its original purpose: to represent, serve, and voice the entire student body in order to create a better atmosphere. The focus has shifted. Planillas are more dedicated on winning the election than the actual impact they wish to have on the school. I would know because in some way, the desire of winning last year clouded my judgement on several occasions.

Too little is accredited to the current Student Council team, but this is the result of years of unrealistic proposals which have led students to stop believing in the system. Just like the Mexican presidential elections people have resigned to expect unfulfilled promises and proposals. Hopefully this will not be the case this time but it is evident that a change must take place: one that doesn’t necessarily come with a new Student Council team but that will definitely shake the waters for years to come.