2026-2027 National Student Council Officer Candidates

Addison Yannetta, Bishop Fenwick High School, OH 

Addison is a junior at Bishop Fenwick High School in Franklin, OH. Her leadership journey didn’t start in school but in the gym. A competitive gymnast for 11 years at the Junior Olympic level, she has mentored younger gymnasts and enjoys inspiring and serving others.  

She is running for president because she believes that students’ voices are powerful and deserve to be heard. She also believes that leadership isn’t something to be taken lightly, and that by committing to putting others before yourself, you become the very definition of a servant leader.   

As president, she will strive to listen to concerns, come up with adequate solutions, amplify student voices, and build schools we are all proud to be a part of every day.  

Joseph Robertozzi, Howell High School, NJ 

Joseph is a junior at Howell High School in Farmingdale, NJ. He currently serves as the treasurer of the New Jersey Association of Student Councils (NJASC) and the class president at Howell High School. Through these roles, he has taken his leadership skills to the next level, challenging himself everyday to achieve things he could have never imagined. He organizes fundraisers, plans events, and encourages student-led environments for schools all over New Jersey. He’s running for president because he’s ready for this opportunity to help others nationally. 

Outside of school, he practices martial arts and serves as an instructor. He’s grown not only as a karate practitioner, but as a teacher and a leader. 

His  platform is built on core principles of: faith, drive, leadership, kindness, generosity, and responsibility, and the belief that youth isn’t the future, it’s now. 

Kaya Brunson, Irmo High School, SC 

Kaya is a sophomore at Irmo High School in Columbia, SC. A longtime leader, she showed up consistently, took responsibility, and cared for others. But she doubted whether she was truly making an impact. That changed in eighth-grade when someone told her that something she did gave them something to hold onto during a difficult time. When they felt alone and overwhelmed, her encouragement reminded them that they mattered and had a voice. Hearing that she had made even a small difference in someone’s life reshaped how she understood leadership.  

Since then, her leadership journey has taken off. She was elected freshman class president and helped bring back traditions while empowering her class to stand for their beliefs. She also joined multiple clubs to participate and plan service and leadership events. She is currently sophomore class president, where she and her team planned the most-attended homecoming in years.  

Beyond school, she serves as president of a nonprofit that develops young entrepreneurs and runs her own business focused on capturing meaningful moments. She is running for vice president of leadership development because she believes in every student having a voice and a platform to share their ideas and see them become reality. 

Sienna Sandoval, Moanalua High School, HI 

Sienna is a sophomore at Moanalua High School in Honolulu, HI. Her leadership journey began eight years ago with a simple hygiene drive. But her mission changed forever at a recent convention when an elementary student asked, “How did you start a youth leadership initiative nonprofit? My school doesn’t have anything like that.” That moment exposed a gap: Many students have the passion to lead but lack the tools to start. She realized that leadership shouldn’t be a privilege for the few; it should be accessible to everyone. This is why she founded The Ripple Effect Initiative. To her, leadership development is a “hand-off.” It starts with a workshop, expands through digital outreach, and finishes with a new leader standing where she once stood. 

As a high school student, she learned how to balance. Whether serving as freshman class president, chairing the co-curricular concerns committee for state student council, or competing in mock trial, she has learned that true leadership is about service. She is running for vice president of leadership development to ensure NSC becomes the ultimate “hand-off.” She wants to provide the workshops and resources that turn a student’s “how” into “done.” She brings the strategic experience of a state representative and the heart of a community builder. Her goal is to move past the titles and focus on the people, building a future where every student knows their voice matters. 

Karma Kamel, L. D. Bell High School, TX 

Karma is a junior at L. D. Bell  High School in Hurst, TX. In fifth grade, she sat at the peanut-free table during lunch. Her  favorite candy was Peanut Butter M&Ms, so she wasn’t there because of allergies. She sat there because it felt easier than facing the quiet uncertainty of where she belonged. At ten years old, she didn’t have the words to explain the feeling of standing in a crowded cafeteria filled with laughter and friendships, yet feeling invisible. But she remembers the emotions vividly: self-doubt, loneliness, and the hope that one day she could have a best friend to laugh with too.  

That moment was the beginning of her leadership journey because it gave her something invaluable: empathy. She realized she wasn’t the only one who had felt that way, and that leadership could be a way to help others feel loved, valued, and included. In tenth grade, she joined student council and became a committee chair and attended her first conference. For the first time in years, her longing for community was fulfilled. 

The following year, she was elected vice president, and her mission became fostering that same sense of community, ensuring students knew they mattered and belonged. She is running for vice president of leadership development to serve the community that once made her feel capable of making a difference. She hopes to represent students with empathy, drive, and authenticity, helping others discover the belonging, purpose, and confidence that student leadership gave her.  

Jacob Ostermann, Kimberly High School, WI 

Jacob is a sophomore at Kimberly High School in Kimberly, WI.  He believes that effective leadership is grounded in responsibility, character, and a dedication to strengthening school communities through meaningful student engagement. 

Through extensive experience in student council leadership at both the regional and state levels, he has consistently worked to elevate student voice and expand opportunities for others to lead. His involvement in statewide initiatives and organizational reform efforts has reinforced his belief that leadership development must be intentional, accessible, and focused on long-term impact rather than titles or recognition. 

As vice president of leadership development, he will prioritize expanding leadership education opportunities, strengthening communication and resource-sharing between councils nationwide, and supporting student leaders with tools that translate vision into action. He aims to foster a national culture of leadership that empowers students to address challenges, build inclusive environments, and create lasting positive change in their schools. 

Madison Miller, Franklin High School, TX 

Madison is a sophomore at Franklin High School in El Paso, TX. Entering high school, she was eager to get involved but unsure where her voice fit best. That changed when she discovered community service through student leadership. What began as volunteering became a passion for creating opportunities for others and ensuring every student felt seen, supported, and valued. 

As the campus community service chair, she organizes service initiatives for a student body of over 2,700 students. She led the annual gift drive, adopting an elementary school and fulfilling over 200 children’s Christmas wish lists, ensuring no child was overlooked. She also created a weekly resource highlighting activities for teens.  

Through these experiences, she has discovered that community service is more than giving back; it is a powerful tool for connection, empowerment, and change. She has completed over 800 verified service hours on InnerView and is actively involved in organizations that share these values, including NHS, Key Club, DECA, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, and the City of El Paso Youth Advisory Board. 

She is running for vice president of service to help strengthen connections between student councils nationwide and reduce opportunity gaps. She hopes to propose a National Student Council Hub to serve as a central resource for councils, share leadership and scholarship opportunities, support new council formation, and foster collaboration across states.  

Dino Arellano, Little Elm High School, TX 

Dino is a junior at Little Elm High School in Little Elm, TX. For him, leadership is about building relationships and impact that lasts way beyond a single event. At his high school, he’s served as executive vice president of student council, HOSA historian, and a leader in organizations dedicated to service and public health. Through these roles, he’s led initiatives ranging from events engaging a student body of over 2,500 students to mental health campaigns that reached over 30,000 people. He’s completed more than 250 hours of health-related community service, not because it was required, but because he believes service is one of the most powerful tools students have to create meaningful change.  

Through his work with Make-A-Wish North Texas and Hearts4Hygiene, he’s seen firsthand how service can become so inspiring when it is organized, intentional, and collaborative.  As vice president of service, he wants to share this mindset nationally. He will work to create service guides and resources that schools can customize and adopt, promote collaboration between student councils across states, and ensure that student service efforts are not only visible, but impactful.  

Cora Palm, Orono High School, MN 

Cora is a junior at Orono High School in Orono, MN. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed making an impact on her community. She has taken on numerous responsibilities while effectively balancing both academic and extracurricular pursuits. As a member of her school’s student council, she helps plan and volunteer at events that promote a positive school culture and community. Recently, she was elected prom chair, a role in which she oversees much of the planning process and decision-making. She also serves as vice president of the Orono Letters of Love chapter, where she organizes meetings and manages over 50 members. In addition, she is involved in NHS and Unified Sports (Special Olympics) club.  

Outside of school, she works as a teacher at her church, volunteers at community events, and coaches two youth soccer teams. Through these experiences, she has developed strong values of service, leadership, and character. She is running for vice president of service to extend her impact beyond her local community, collaborate with students from diverse backgrounds, and bring back ideas to strengthen her community. 

Adam Salgado, Forney High School, TX 

Adam is a junior at Forney High School in Forney, TX. His leadership journey began as freshman when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Life as he knew it was upended. Instead of learning mallet riffs for percussion, he was studying survival rates and cancer drugs. Instead of spending time with friends, he was isolated at home protecting his fragile immune system.   

After treatment for six months, he was declared “cancer free” and returned to school his sophomore year. He is forever grateful to those family and friends who still remembered him when he felt forgotten. But the transition back to school was hard. He decided to become more involved with student council, and he wanted to make a difference for others. During isolation, something that helped him was playing board games to escape the fear and anxiety of cancer. With help from Make-a-Wish, he founded a nonprofit organization, Your Turn: Board Games for the Brave, to deliver games to other youth during their own battles against life-threatening illnesses.  

He is running for vice president of service because he knows how easy it is to feel forgotten and lost. Whether it be the smallest council making somebody feel included or a national initiative to remember those who feel forgotten, he believes that a simple act of service can go a long way.  

Bethany Jespersen, Lincoln High School, SD 

Bethany is a junior at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, SD.  Her leadership journey has proven to be anything but linear; it’s a winding path of finding her voice for something bigger than herself. For her, being the second-born is a gift and a challenge, a heterogeneous mixture of comparison and inspiration from her role model sister. However, upon entering high school, her ambition reached a new level, and she decided to participate in student council.  

Thanks to the program, she has strengthened her communication skills, established meaningful peer relationships, and aligned her voice to represent the student body. Her current role as student council president requires full-fledged listening and transforming feedback into action. Beyond this position, her experiences as dance committee chairwoman, student newspaper editor, varsity athlete, consistent community volunteer, academic scholar, and dedicated club member have fueled her collaborative mentality. 

She is running for vice president of membership to emphasize inclusion. Membership in student council is not for the numbers or titles; it’s about advocating for student voices around the United States. She promises to be an NSC officer who listens to the thoughts, concerns, and feedback of all.   

Landry Partney, Festus Sr High School, MO 

Landry is a sophomore at Festus Sr. High School in Festus, MO. From the moment he joined student council four years ago, leadership became more than an activity, it became a purpose. What started as a desire to get involved quickly grew into a commitment to build something bigger than himself. 

Serving as class president both years of high school, he has worked to create a culture where involvement is not just encouraged, but expected. Through energy, motivation, and consistent outreach, his class has earned the highest number of honorary and contributing student council members. He believes leadership is not about standing in front of others but pulling them forward.  

His extroverted nature is one of his greatest strengths. Whether speaking to a room full of students or having a one-on-one conversation, he connects easily and genuinely. He is running for vice president of membership to strengthen connections between schools, elevate student involvement nationwide, and leave a lasting mark beyond the local and state levels. He is prepared to serve, grow membership, and inspire students across the nation to take ownership of their voice and their leadership. 

Dante Tapia, Rock Hill High School, TX 

Dante is a junior at Rock Hill High School in Frisco, TX. As his school’s junior class representative, he has designed opportunities that bring people together, strengthen his community, and make participation meaningful for members of his school’s student council.  

As vice president of membership, he will ensure that the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) feels accessible, exciting, and impactful for every student and school, regardless of their background. With is passion for bringing different perspectives to the table, adjusting plans to improve outcomes, and fostering collaboration that benefits everyone’s ideas, he hopes to expand NASC membership. 

Noah Fontenot, Lake Arthur High School, LA 

Noah is a junior at Lake Arthur High School in Lake Arthur, LA. He plans to major in chemical engineering in college. He has pursued leadership roles through his school, community, and other programs such as Future Business Leaders of America, the Natiobal Beta Club, and 4-H.  

A big believer in consistency, he is running for vice president of membership. 

Samuel Park, Eastern Technical High School, MD 

Samuel is a junior at Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore, MD. His leadership journey began as historian for the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC), where he served two consecutive years. He then became community outreach director for the Baltimore County Student Councils and communications director and lead for MASC. In that role, he created publications that were shared countywide and even nationally through the National Coalition Against Censorship, where he advocates for student free speech.  

As a videographer for school events, he’s spent considerable time mastering his craft behind the camera. A three-time marketing ambassador for the National Association of Student Councils and also served as a marketing ambassador for College Board. 

He’s running for vice president of communications to magnify the impact of student voices. He hopes to make NSC more visible, more accessible, and more engaging for student leaders everywhere.  

Sofia Jackson, York Community High School, IL 

Sofia Jackson is a sophomore at York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL. She once drove two hours after school just to sit in the back row of a speech tournament for a girl she met at a student council camp. She didn’t win. But when she walked in the hallway and saw Sofia had shown up, she smiled in this quiet, relieved way, like she realized she wasn’t doing this alone. For Sofia, that moment mattered more than any award. Her leadership journey has been built on moments like this. Although she’s connected hundreds of student leaders across states, built coordinated national initiatives, and mobilized multi-state projects that raised thousands of dollars, what has shaped her most were the people. The high five from someone she once ran against. The stranger who became a collaborator. The friendships that turned conferences into lifelong support systems.  

She’s running for vice president of communications because she understands that leadership begins with connection, and communication is how to protect and scale that connection intentionally. With NSC, she hopes to build systems that turn hallway conversations into sustained collaboration, so no student council feels isolated and no student feels forgotten. 

Haydn Paul, Lake Buena Vista High School, FL 

Haydn is a sophomore at Lake Buena Vista High School in Orlando, FL. Her leadership journey began freshmen year when she was elected class president. In that role, she learned the importance of responsibility, representation, and communication. That experience showed her that a title doesn’t show true leadership but  taking initiative and serving and communication with others does.  

She currently serves as sophomore class public relations officer, focusing on clear communication, promoting school spirit, and increasing student involvement. She is running for vice president of communications. 

Delaina Diaz, Seminole High School, FL 

Delaina is a junior at Seminole High School in Sanford, FL. Before engaging in leadership roles at her school, she was very shy. Freshman year, she pushed herself out of her comfort zone enough to join a leadership class. That decision changed her high school experience, and encouraged her to join student government.  

As sophomore class president, she learned how to truly manage a group, collaborate with others, and most importantly, listen. Now, as junior class president and the logistics officer of her school’s SGA, she continues to grow not just as a leader, but as a person. She is running for vice president of communications to collaborate with other passionate student leaders, bring new ideas back to her school, and represent students who might be afraid to use their voices like she once was.  

Mylo Moel, PACyber Charter School – High School, PA 

Mylo is a junior at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter in Midland, PA. His leadership journey began the moment he understood this: There are 73 million young people in the United States, but student voices aren’t always treated with the respect they deserve. 

He believes that leadership is doing the hard work when nobody’s watching. As vice president of advocacy, he pledges to lead with urgency and integrity.  

His credibility comes from experience. As vice president of his school’s student council and Gay-Straight Alliance, his mission has been to ensure that the students who come after him can make an even greater impact, and that they feel genuinely supported in doing so. He currently serves on GLSEN‘s NSC and the PASC Region C board, and he’s a New Voters intern, advocating at the national level for safer, more inclusive schools. Through these roles, he’s  learned what it means to turn passion as a student leader into state or national action, and he hopes to bring that same heart to the National Student Council. 

Nikhita Devireddy, Seminole High School, FL 

Nikhita is a sophomore at Seminole High School in Sanford, FL. Her leadership journey began in third grade when she ran for student council representative and introduced Freerice.com to my classmates, a website that helps students practice vocabulary while donating rice to the UN World Food Programme. At a young age, she discovered her passion for helping others and was determined to make a difference through leadership.  

In high school, she has continued her advocacy work. As sophomore class president, she organized a “Bracelet Bar,” where students made over 1,000 friendship bracelets to bring smiles to hospitalized children’s faces. From collaborating with student leaders at countywide meetings to develop solutions addressing challenges faced by district schools, to serving as an International Baccalaureate Ambassador, to volunteering at the Central Florida Zoo for the past three years, her focus has always been on giving back to her community.  

As vice president of advocacy, her goal is to bring attention to impactful issues that students face every day, specifically the effects of social media. In today’s digital era, teens’ lives revolve around social media, as we are constantly scrolling, comparing ourselves, and seeking validation just to feel seen. This culture is pushing teens towards stress disorders and unhealthy choices. With the National Student Council, she hopes to advocate for student-led mental wellness programs and promote digital literacy initiatives that ensure student voices are heard when decisions about mental health resources and social media policies are made.  

Shaunak Buche, Lambert High School, GA 

Shaunak is a junior at Lambert High School in Suwanee, GA. His leadership journey did not start with a title or a plan. It started with a question he could not let go of: Why were students the last people consulted about their own school experience? As a sophomore, he started cold-emailing school districts asking if he could talk to their students about disability inclusion. Most said no. He kept emailing. That persistence became the ASCEND Learning Guide, now partnered with UNICEF and Special Olympics and growing across dozens of school districts.  

But the moment that changed him was watching a student with a learning disability lead a peer training session for the first time and realizing that everything he had built had been missing that student’s voice. That realization shaped how he leads. As a state student council state officer, he focused on making sure student input actually changed outcomes.  

On Georgia’s 7th Congressional District Youth Advisory Council, he is proposing anti-bullying legislation for students in special education because he has seen what happens when no one does. When his research at Stanford University revealed how vulnerable students are to algorithmic systems they were never taught to question, he began working on legislation around AI and student safety because waiting for someone else felt like a choice he could not justify. He is running for vice president of advocacy to advocate for integrating digital safety and disability inclusion into student council programming so that the students most affected by these issues are never the last ones included in the conversation.  

Gabrielle Lee, Katy High School, TX 

Gabrielle is a junior at Katy High School in Katy, TX. For her, leadership is the ability to organize, connect with, and foster growth within a team. Throughout high school, various roles have shaped her perspective on what it means to lead. As a HOBY ambassador, she attended a multi-day seminar that taught her to bridge communication and connection divides between her peers. In her current role as Rho Kappa secretary, she manage essential behind-the-scenes operations and coordinates event logistics. Previously, she served as both the debate team and history club historian, where she drove engagement through creative outreach.  

She has also served as a student council officer, promoting mental and physical health by planning events and spreading awareness to bridge gaps throughout our community. Now, as her school’s student council president, her mission is to empower officers. She prioritizes listening to their ideas and encouraging their growth, ensuring they become the best representatives for our school.  

Beyond school roles, she is the event manager for Crumbs for a Cause, a youth-led nonprofit that provides baked goods to local charities and raises funds for an organization in Uganda that houses, educates, and feeds children. She is running for vice president of advocacy because of her dedication to societal improvement and personal connection.  

Lauren Crispino, Somers High School, NY 

Lauren is a sophomore at Somers High School in Westchester, NY. Throughout her life, she had wanted to advocate for issues around her. Yet, there was one thing that held her back: her voice. Growing up with many speech issues, she was always afraid to speak up. As the years went on, she started to find her voice through student leadership.  

Ever since serving on her school’s student council in eighth grade, her voice has grown. She’s currently the publicity officer for Somers High School’s student council. She also serves on the National Student Advisory Council for Work2BeWell, where she works to increase accessibility of mental health resources through the creation of graphics and flyers. For her dedication and persistence, she received the Kelly Jeffords Outstanding Student Leader Award in 2025 at the New York State Conference of Leadership and Student Activities.  

With her keen attention to detail and experience with documentation and organization, she is running for secretary. As a National Student Council officer, she hopes to give a voice to those who struggle to speak up, as she once did.  

Thomas Buhrfiend, York Community High School, IL 

Thomas is a junior at York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL. His leadership journey started in fourth grade when he joined his class council to sell pencils and phone erasers at a holiday sale. As a 10-year-old, he remembers thinking that managing quarters and dimes was the height of responsibility.  

In high school, he’s approached every role with organization top of mind. He participates in his school’s student ambassador program, the junior board of West Suburban Community Pantry, and the Illinois Association of Student Councils (IASC). He was recently elected president of the Northeast District, where he elevates student voices from across the Chicagoland area.  

At a certain point, he realized he needed to move beyond structured groups to create lasting impact. After writing to an Illinois House Representative about issues students were facing, he was privileged to work in her office. Months later, he returned to her office with a proposal to update a 1993 state law, permitting districts to count service hours towards graduation credit. He’s  continuing this work as part of a superintendent roundtable, where he’ll advocate for formal recognition of real-world learning through service. As secretary, he’ll  bring organizational skills and an optimistic attitude to the National Student Council. 

Shea Allen, Lead-Deadwood High School, SD 

Shea is a junior at Lead-Deadwood High School in Lead, SD. She believes that student council has shaped who she is and given her the confidence to do things that are unknown and scary. Serving as a state representative on the National Student Council this past year was the best leadership experience she ever had.  

Whether planning an event where hundreds of students attend workshops, making new friends and memories that will last a lifetime, or finding the courage to speak up on issues that affect the lives of students who do not have opportunities to create change, engaging in student council is something she finds meaningful and is grateful for. She is running for secretary to positively impact student lives in the U.S. 

Madison Whetstone, Shawnee High School, OH 

Madison is a junior at Shawnee High School in Lima, OH. For her, leadership is about working collectively to create meaningful change. Her leadership journey began at the start of high school when she served as a class representative. In that role, she quickly realized the power of student voice and the impact leadership can have within a school community.  

Through her involvement in the Ohio Association of Student Leaders (OASL), where she has attended events for the past three years, she developed a deeper understanding of service-based leadership. The program encouraged her to step outside of her comfort zone and pursue opportunities I once thought were out of reach. That growth led her to serve as class vice president and now as executive vice president of student government. Along the way, she has  encouraged her peers to take the initiative and advocate for one another.  

Although she has faced challenges such as fear of failure, disappointment, and pressure, those experiences have strengthened her resilience and commitment to serving others. One of her most meaningful experiences was advocating at the Ohio statehouse for free school lunches, supporting students across our state who deserve equal access to resources and opportunity. Serving as secretary would allow her to expand her impact. She is ready to continue leading with purpose and making a difference.