Spotlight:  Chloe Daniel, the Junior Class President
BY LayLA Niblock

     Flyers filled with smiling faces and various persuasive techniques dotted DSA’s halls in late November, their message loud and inescapable.
     During a hectic few weeks in the second quarter, students campaigned and voted for the Junior Class President. In the end, Chloe Daniel, a junior actively involved in DSA’s student government, won the title and will represent the student body as Senior Class President next year. While most students were aware of the election, it happened so quickly that the candidates were unable to differentiate their platforms. Many do not know the importance of the Junior Class President nor who Daniel is and what she stands for. 
     “I started DSA in sixth grade so I’ve been here for the long haul. My pathway is piano. I chose that because I’ve been playing piano since I was four, and when I started here I didn’t really have time for lessons anymore; so being able to play at school made time for that again,” Chloe Daniel described before listing, “I’m in track, soccer, NHS, and student council.”
     Daniel has been on student council since sophomore year but didn’t join with the goal of being the class president. 
     “I wasn’t going to run originally because I didn’t really feel secure in a leadership position. I changed my mind because I really love student council and I kind of wanted to do more, so I decided to run,” Daniel explained.
     Campaigning can be a scary experience but it can also be a learning opportunity. Many of the lessons Daniel learned were introspective rather than campaign related. 
     “I learned to have more confidence in myself and I learned more about what it's like to have to really compete for something. That was really my first time doing something like that. [During]  my campaign I learned that I have a lot of people that are on my side and that I can really count on to support me…” Daniel remarked. 
     The role of Junior Class President is one of preparation for the role of Senior Class President. Jasmine Parker, the current Senior Class President, is mentoring Daniel so she will be ready for the position next year. But even now Daniel is ready to make changes and advocate for students.​
ART CREDIT: MIRIAM ROGERS
Daniel’s posters were just ones of many posted around the school during the campaign season. They made an impact with their pop art design created by one of Daniel's friends, Miriam Rogers.
 Picture
PHOTO CREDIT: LAYLA NIBLOCK
Chloe Daniel poses for a photo during her lunch period. Daniel has B Lunch and typically eats between the Academy building a Gym. She welcomes anyone who would like to talk to her then.     
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     “Part of my campaign, and I still really hold true to this, is just trying to fix all the small day-to-day things that could just make student’s lives easier. I feel like students complain about the same things a lot but I feel like their complaints aren’t heard and I want to do my best to make sure things are actually changed. I also want to focus on the sanitation of DSA because I feel like that's really important, especially with COVID,” Daniel emphasized.
     Daniel has been a part of the DSA community for 6 years and has seen it grow and change. These experiences have given her insight into what makes DSA special. 
     “I like how [the DSA] community is really upfront about what we want. I feel like if our student body wants to change something we will do everything we can to change it, and we’re not afraid to talk to our teachers and administrators about things that are wrong with our school right now. I really appreciate that,” Chloe Daniel elaborated.
     This experience has also given her insight in what she wants to maintain and ensure that DSA never loses. 
     “I feel like this year the art focus at DSA has kind of gone down. There used to be people randomly playing music at lunch and stuff and so I want to preserve the supportive art community, and I kind of want to bring that back more. I’m not really sure how to right now…maybe [we can] encourage students to sign up and play in the mornings and stuff for their peers because we can’t have concerts,” Daniel brainstormed.
     She cited the Jazz Band playing before the end of winter break as one of the things she wished happened more often and is open to new ideas if anyone would like to reach out. 
     “If you see me, you can just talk to me!” Daniel concluded.

*Daniel’s email is [email protected]