Into the Minds of Our Candidates
By Lacee Streeter
What is it like being a PO candidate? What do they feel personally? How is this new virtual-conference affecting them? First, to introduce our amazing candidates. Emilee Nguyen from Daviess Co. High School - “Em has no end,” Haider Nasir from Elizabethtown High School- “Vote for the better choice, make Haider your voice!” Jack Schablik from Holy cross High School Louisville - “Jack’s got your back.” Clayton Roark from Saint Xavier High School - “Vote for Clay, This is the way!” and lastly Sasha Haunz from South Oldham High School -”Think big, vote Sash.”
The first candidate I talked to was Emilee Nguyen. “As I’m sure many people are, I was kind of bummed that KUNA is virtual. However, I completely understand that it is the safest option for all of us, and I intend to make the most of the virtual conference. Running a campaign Instagram account, for example, is one of the many ways candidates have adapted to virtual settings as opposed to the traditional networking strategy. I think that as a candidate, stress levels are a bit higher, but excitement is right up there with it. This whole experience has been such a swag time!” With these amazing words from Emilee, let’s see how the other candidates feel.
The second candidate I talked to was Haider Nasir. “With being online, the journey as a candidate this year has been quite different. In person I’ve always been quite talkative, and being online has cut that connection slightly. At the same time, being online has allowed me to become more creative with my campaign. Running my Instagram page has been really fun, and has made me really think outside of the box. Overall I don’t regret being virtual. Being virtual has just changed the scape and how campaigning is being done. My emotions as a candidate are slightly different than that as an ambassador. As a candidate, there are a lot more eyes on you. Being a candidate makes you rethink how you respond to things, and ensures you are a role model. I find more joy in being a candidate vs. regular ambassador though. I’ve been able to talk to many people at this conference, and create new relationships even with being online. The same excitement still exists as a candidate and regular ambassador though. Both experiences are extremely satisfying and gratifying.” As expressed, these emotions are understood considering the circumstances.
The third candidate I communicated with was Jack Schablik. “What’s funny is that if I was asked this a week ago I would have said I felt very uncomfortable about running online. But after today, I feel really optimistic about it. I think it helped me to reach out to groups of people on a larger scale. As far as if it helps me or not, sometimes I see it one way and sometimes I see it another. I think it’s something we will know for certain when tomorrow rolls around. I think it’s filled with a powerful desire to meet people. Normally that’s my favorite thing to do at Y-conferences, but being a candidate allows me to do it on a much larger scale, which I’m really grateful for.”
Next, I talked to Clayton Roark. “Obviously I’m very disappointed we’re online. It really just isn’t the same - I mean, the Y has done a great job, but the connections we form just aren’t like they were before. Honestly I think it has affected my campaign in both positive and negative ways. Negatively, because I don’t feel like people get to meet and interact with the real me, which is unfortunate. But, positively, because it has forced me to work even harder and find creative solutions to the obstacles ahead of me. And finally, I would have to say that being a candidate has brought a much more serious and responsible tone to the conference, which is nerve-wracking but it’s also nice to have a challenge to try and achieve.” With these strong emotions from Clay, I’m sure him and the other candidates are doing great.
Now the last candidate I talked to was Sasha Haunz. “Obviously being online can be frustrating and difficult to deal with, but I definitely think that I was able to make the most of it. It was off-putting to run in a virtual environment, but after going through it, I would totally do it again. The main way I think it affects my campaign is with the lack of connection with ambassadors. Networking is tricky since you can’t talk face-to-face with people and it’s hard to make connections and large Zoom rooms. As a candidate, I think my confidence in myself has gone up. My speeches seem more meaningful to me and it’s exciting to feel the energy of everyone else.” Very beautiful words from Sasha!
With KUNA being online, the emotions of the PO candidates can be a roller coaster. However, the general trend is excitement and curiosity. With the circumstances of KUNA being online, candidates are forced into a different environment and ways of campaigning. However, the candidates have done a great job with everything they’re doing. Now to end with a quote from our 2021 Secretary general Jeremy Faulhaber, “How can the sky be the limit, if there’s footprints on the moon.” Thank you High School KUNA 1.
