President Q&A
What are two Initiatives you will work on as an SBO next year if you are elected?
Victoria Gordon
I want to focus on lifting school spirit and getting people excited to contribute and support others within the school. In conjunction with that, I want everyone to feel included and valued; every student and teacher at Cottonwood is a part of a big family, and I want that to not only feel certain to us, but also clear to other schools when they see our unity.
What does it mean to you to be a Colt?
Victoria Gordon
I think that Cottonwood, more than almost any other school in the state, has the most diversity in perspective. And that's an incredible thing. To be a Colt means to stand firm in your beliefs/ideals, even when there's so much variety around you; to have empathy and understanding for others and their beliefs, even as they differ from your own; and to set aside dissimilarities for unity, still while remembering what makes us unique and marks who we are as individuals.
What is one way you would develop activities to make everyone at Cottonwood feel welcome and included?
Victoria Gordon
A fundamental part of getting everyone who participates to feel welcome/included is to get a variety of people to contribute to planning an event. I don't know all the answers on my own, that's just a fact; consequently, I'll strengthen myself and our school by taking suggestions from students, other Student Government members, and members of other groups within the school (for example: sports teams, LIA, Music Committee, etc.) This way, a variety of opinions and ideas can be heard and a compromise can be found to make the most people possible feel included and heard.
What advice do you have to stay motivated with academics throughout the year?
Victoria Gordon
The biggest thing is communication. When you feel tired and unmotivated, or have trouble even getting out of bed in the morning, it's important to communicate those feelings. Talking to friends to get support is a powerful way to combat loss of motivation, but also talking to your teachers. If they don't know why you're missing school or not submitting assignments, they won't have the patience or understanding to make accommodations. Communicate with your teachers so they better understand the situation, then be proactive in initiating a plan to make up what you've missed.