On Monday, June 8, students participated in elections to determine class officer and student council positions for the 2015-2016 school year. However, not all of the positions were filled for the Class of 2016 and the Class of 2018.

These positions were empty due to forms being submitted late. A deadline was set for students to turn in their signature sheets, enabling them to run for class office, and students who did not meet the deadline were not allowed to run for class office. Betsy Murphy, Dean of Students and one of the Supervisors of Student Council, stood by her deadline.

“A deadline is a deadline, and I know that people thought we were being tight on that, but that is not fair to the other 30 people that did get their paperwork in on time, because that is an appointment,” said Murphy.

While these positions ware not currently filled, that will not remain to be the case for long. The three elected class officers will work together with their class advisors to determine which student will serve in the empty spot.

According to Murphy, the student chosen to fill the empty positions will not necessarily be the student who served years past. Instead, decisions will be based on a bunch of other factors.

“[Class officers and advisors] can appoint whoever they want for that open position […] I think it’s important that the officers and advisors take a look at who is best suited for it. They can pick whoever they feel deserves the position, a hard worker who has stepped up in the class, or someone who filled the position in the past,” said Murphy.

For the Class of 2016, there is little debate over who the class would like to serve as Treasurer for the 2015-2016 school year. Stephen Wang, who served as Treasurer this past year, seems to be the favorite of the class. Other candidates went so far as to say “freestephen” at the end of their campaign speeches, and even Murphy participated in the movement.

Junior Keegan Connolly began the “#freestephen” movement, and stated that his goal was only to help out a friend in need.

“I heard about my friend, I heard about what happened, and I saw a need […] I just wanted to help out my friend,” said Connolly.

Social media then took over, as several students began posting pictures of Wang in support. Wang himself was stunned at how much support he gained. Watch Wang speak about his support below.

However, for the class of 2018, questions still remain over who will fill the position of vice-president.  Student council and the class advisors will collaborate in making this final decision.  Since this class has only been together for one year at WA, the only obstacle is ensuring that the vice-president will be a candidate that can successfully represent the entire class, and while students are concerned, most have faith their elected officials will make a good decision.

Watch this video, where freshman Prachi Jhawar voices her support in her elected officers.

Nevertheless, students in both the 9th and 11th grade are still waiting for an official report on who will be filling the void, and until they are announced, check out some of the social media posts about the event below.