AcFor ha nge

The traditional tug of war game began at the annual pep rally. Sophomore class president, Neelesh Pandey, took the microphone. Although usually comfortable speaking in front of crowds, Pandey felt nervous as all eyes fell on him. Facing his fellow sophomores, Pandey took a deep breath and shouted “let’s go sophomores,” rallying his peers in a united chant.

“As I heard and watched my peers cheer for the people representing the sophomore class during the tug of war, I felt a very inclusive and supportive environment which are the feelings I want everyone at school to feel every day,” Pandey said.

In his numerous leadership positions, Pandey played a meaningful role in cultivating the school community. Yet, his journey with the Student Council might just be the most meaningful so far.

“I was motivated to run for president to give back to my school’s community since the school has given me so much; I like to do what I can to make the school a better place,” Pandey said.

What sets Pandey apart from the rest, is his determination to create a more inclusive school community.

“I want everyone’s cultural identity to feel respected and represented because then they will feel welcome and comfortable,” Pandey said.

As class president, Pandey works tirelessly to bring students together and make sure everyone felt welcome. In order to do this, Pandey attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Texas. He learned how to make people feel included and comfortable with their identities. Because of this, Pandey was inspired to conduct a survey on race and culture.

“Some people are less represented than others and it is our responsibility as leaders to make sure that those less represented have a voice,” Pandey said.

Pandey’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond just making sure everyone feels welcome. He is also a passionate debater, and he uses his skills in the classroom and on the debate team to advocate for marginalized voices and bring attention to important issues.

“Debating has taught me how to communicate effectively and persuade others, and I think those skills are really important when it comes to creating positive change,” Pandey said.

Pandey is focused on finding solutions to problems – something he learned from his experiences in competing in math competitions and chess tournaments.

“The biggest lesson I have learned from math and chess is pattern recognition. You have to be aware of any patterns that may be causing an issue, and experiment ways to solve them to find a solution for the best of the community,” Pandey said.