Advice from your 2025-26 Student Body President, Piper W.

Read on to hear advice from your current Student Body President, Piper W.!

What skills have you learned in your leadership position?

This position specifically has really improved my communication skills - between writing emails and conducting meetings and events, there’s a lot of writing and speaking involved in leadership. I always try to run Student Government meetings as effectively as possible while also making them enjoyable for members, and over the past year I think I’ve improved when it comes to organizing and speaking at meetings and events. There’s also a lot of communication involved in student outreach, and I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable connecting with my fellow students over this year!

As a student leader, what impact have you had–or do you hope to have–on the OHS Student Body?

I hope to have made the OHS experience better in some way, large or small, for every student body member, both academically and socially. Sometimes doing work for the student body is crafting legislation and facilitating student support, and sometimes it’s just running fun and silly events. For both, I hope that the work I’ve put in has led to students enjoying their academic experience and also just having fun with their classmates. I also hope that I’ve been able to support students through the difficulties that can come with being an OHS student. At a school where imposter syndrome and comparison can run rampant, it can be hard to reach out for help. Most of all, I hope I’ve cultivated an environment where students are comfortable reaching out and feel like they’re able to be heard, and I hope that I as a student leader have been approachable and that I have listened to all voices of the student body.

How do you think this leadership position will impact you in the future?

This position has firmly cemented a love for governance and leadership within me. It’s shown me both the glorious parts and the harder parts of being a student leader, and I believe I’ve learned the most from the latter. Even when leadership becomes tough, my love for the work I’m doing gets me through, and this position has established my firm belief that as long as I truly love what I’m involved in, I will always be able to do my best in it, something I will most definitely take into the future as I pursue more leadership opportunities and have new experiences.

What advice do you have for students regarding time management/organization?

Find a system that works for you - it might not be one system but a mix of many. When I first came to OHS, I felt like there was one right way to organize my time that I just needed to discover or force myself to use, even if it wasn’t working for me. It took me years to cultivate my current blend of methods I use to keep up with everything. Yours is out there, and it may not be the same as what the people around you do. Try things out and eventually you’ll figure out what works specifically for you. That being said, using the Canvas dashboard in list mode is a lifesaver and I would not be here without it.

What motivated you to pursue your current leadership position?

I’ve wanted to hold the office of Student Body President for pretty much as long as I’ve been at OHS! In my first year, as a fledgling new Student Government member, I looked up to the ExComm of that year so much. Seeing the way they conducted Student Government with so much organization but were also just such kind and genuine people really inspired me to continue in leadership. I made a goal that I would be in that position someday and hopefully be that same person for students just starting out in SG the way that they were for me. I was specifically motivated to run for this position last year because after a year on ExComm as Board Chair of Communications, I had learned so much concerning SG but also saw so many ways that the organization could improve. In addition, my running mate and current vice president (shoutout to Sadie) motivated me to pursue this position and still motivates me to keep going with SG work, even when it’s tedious or challenging - I definitely would not be here without her.

Do you have any other advice for students interested in seeking a leadership position?

Don’t wait for the position to come to you to begin leadership. If you don’t feel ready to hold a position that requires election or nomination, start out where you are. For Student Government specifically, before running for an elected position, take initiative as an unelected member on a board. You can be a leader regardless of whether you have a title, and indeed, you’ll need to be acquainted with leading by the time you do hold a position!