Every spring, Chapel Hill High School’s student government kicks off the election process for officers who will serve the following school year. With the upcoming implementation of a block schedule, the structure of student government is expected to change significantly.
Four returning candidates are running again, offering insight into why they’re seeking re-election, what they’ve accomplished this year and how the block schedule may reshape Student Government operations.
The election season began with an informational meeting in April during which candidates learn about the positions, responsibilities and requirements of running for office. There are seven elected roles: president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, senior representative, junior representative and sophomore representative.
After the meeting, those who choose to run have a week to campaign using school-approved posters. “Lots of candidates make Instagram accounts and follow their friends so people know what they’re running for,” current Student Government president and senior Natalie Thomas said.
During the week of May 19, before voting began, candidates delivered speeches to the student body, outlining their goals and qualifications. Students vote during the last two days of the week, and ballots are counted shortly after. Winners are announced in late May—last year, they were revealed during TigerFest, an end-of-year celebration hosted by Student Government.
With the new block schedule in place next year, the current structure—where officers meet during fourth-period Student Government—will be replaced. “They’re probably going to use flex block for meetings next year,” Thomas said, “but we’re still trying to figure out what it will look like exactly.”
This year, four non-graduating officers are running for re-election. Though their experience gives them an edge, there’s no guarantee they’ll secure their desired roles.
The official candidates for the 2025 election were announced on May 14:
- President: Paloma Bradley, Troy Deniz, Micah Neal and Richard Zhu
- Vice President: Silas Munday
- Secretary: Catarina Bapat, Teagan CoyneSmith, Kiera Diggs, Daniela Garcia Rodriguez, Yu-Hsiang Hung and Alena Volpe
- Treasurer: Henry Ghitelman, Sydney Jackson, Grace Markwell, Aaliyah Mendoza, Savannah Odom and Nyasha Singh
- Senior Representative: Lucy Boyd, Esteban Lopez, Aylin Velasco Pantaleon and Sam Zimmerman
- Junior Representative: Cyrus Ahmed, Cole Gwaltney, Wyatt Ragosta, Patrick Smith and Timmy Tasar
- Sophomore Representative: Natasha Dolinsky, Lance Hugelmeyer and Troy Munday
Profiles of Returning Officers
Henry Ghitelman
Henry Ghitelman, a junior, currently serves as junior representative and is running for treasurer. He believes his strong communication skills and experience in student government will be key. “We’ve started a lot of new stuff this year, but also kept some old traditions,” Ghitelman said.
Next year, he hopes to continue developing creative events while honoring school traditions. “I’ve been able to really connect with my school, meet lots of new people and plan events,” he said. “I just want to do the same thing next year with a new position and new responsibilities.”
Ghitelman noted that miscommunication was a challenge this year, but it’s an area where he and the team improved. He plans to carry those lessons forward.
Student Government officers act as role models, and Ghitelman sees this as an essential part of the job. “I think my overall character is something the student body looks up to,” he said, adding that his positive presence is part of why he’s a strong candidate for treasurer.
Paloma Bradley
Paloma Bradley, this year’s vice president and a junior, is running for class President. With three years of student government experience—first as a senator, then sophomore representative and now vice president—Bradley brings deep familiarity with the role.
“Seeing the success our events have just keeps me wanting to do more,” she said. “It motivates me to keep doing a good job.”
Bradley emphasized the importance of student advocacy and believes her experience and commitment to leadership make her a strong candidate. “It’s important to have a leader who cares, who has experience and who knows how to lead,” she said.
Her favorite events this year were week-long ones like Random Acts of Kindness Week and Senior Week. “I think it really lifts the school’s happiness,” she said.
If elected president, she plans to improve event advertising, refine existing traditions and further engage the student body. “I know how to tweak events and get people interested,” she said.
Silas Munday
Silas Munday, a junior, currently serves as treasurer and is running for vice president. One of his strengths is the ability to communicate clearly with adults—a critical skill when dealing with approvals from administration. “I’m able to concisely speak to someone older and get what we need done,” Munday said.
With the shift to block scheduling, Munday is thinking ahead. Next year, Student Government will likely meet just three times a week during flex period, so efficient time management will be crucial. “I think we can work better on being more productive with the time we have,” he said.
Munday currently oversees fundraising and budget management. “I also fill out a ton of forms whenever we’re spending or receiving money,” he said. If elected vice president, he said his strong connection with administration will help maintain smooth operations.
Timur Tasar
Timur Tasar, a sophomore and current sophomore representative, is running for junior representative. Collaboration, he said, is one of his key strengths: “That’s a very important part of being in student government—if you can’t work together, it doesn’t really work out.”
He values the opportunity to make a positive impact and build community. “I’m just happy to have some way to be part of the school,” he said.
Tasar especially enjoys events that bring the school together, such as the new Bingo game introduced during flex for upperclassmen. It was a fresh addition that complemented established traditions.
As a representative, he has focused on communication between students and officers. “Last year as freshmen, we didn’t really have much of a say,” he said, “but now my friends can just tell me what they think, and I can voice their opinions.” Next year, he hopes to continue serving as that bridge while encouraging open discussion among officers.
