Shahmurad Lodhi
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With election season underway and the Head Steward speeches completed, we sat down with each of the three Head Steward finalists to ask them a few questions. In no particular order, here are TBAW’s head steward candidate profiles for 2015-2016.
Clayton Jeffrey
SL – What do you think that the job of UCC’s Head Steward is, and how do you think that you are qualified for the position?
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CJ – I believe that the role of the Head Steward is to facilitate success amongst the school. To do this he must be able to unite the Board of Stewards to find ways to maintain as well as improve the school. The Head Steward must be able to effectively communicate the voices of the school with the Board of Stewards. I believe that I’m qualified to represent the school as Head Steward because of my drive to leave a legacy with the school and with the boys.
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SL – Keeping in mind that stewardship positions come with a fair amount of responsibility and stress, why do want to be Head Steward?
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CJ – I feel that I owe much of who I am to this school that has nurtured my academic, athletic and creative growth. I’m proud to call UCC my home and it’s this sense of pride that drives me to give back to it. I believe that I can make an impact on the school in a similar way it made a profound impact on me.
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SL -If elected, what would be your primary goal (or goals) as Head Steward?
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CJ – To me, the key to growth in our school is communication. I feel that there is a disconnect between what happens in the school and those who are impacted by the actions. I would like the voice of the student body as well as the staff and faculty to be heard when decisions are being drawn by the Board of Stewards. To do this I would like to send out a survey/questionnaire at the beginning of every month which will contain the topics of discussion from the Board of Stewards and also give an opportunity for others to contribute on what the discussions should be based around. I believe that much more can be accomplished when we have 800 minds thinking of ways to improve the school than the 18 or so on the Board of Stewards.
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SL – How would you, as Head Steward, further creative and athletic pursuits at the school?
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CJ – I think that the best means to further athletic and creative pursuits of the school would be to raise awareness for them. It would be neat if we could come up with new ways to advertise sports games, theatrical productions, debate tournaments etc. as apposed to seeing events posted on the conventional school agenda. I believe that the talent for these programs are already present but to improve them the question would be how to raise school awareness and support for these pursuits.
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SL – What is something that you are truly passionate about?
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CJ – I’d say that what I’m most passionate about is igniting passion. Whether it be sports, music, debate, I think that discovering what you love is the most fulfilling aspect that UCC provides. Personally I’ve discovered a passion for Track, which I came across in Year Two, thanks to the opportunity that UCC has provided me with. I believe that all of us have a passion of some kind of another that is waiting to be uncovered.
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SL – What is your favourite thing about UCC?
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CJ – Upper Dining Hall chocolate milk.
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Elliott Birman
SL – What do you think that the job of UCC’s Head Steward is, and how do you think that you are qualified for the position?
EB – The Head Steward at UCC is the voice of a body. He is one that represents and advocates; changes and improves; unites and creates. But like I mentioned in my speech, the Head Steward is also another student, just like you, and should be approachable and supportive of the boys in all activities, on all levels. With a breadth of extra-curricular involvement, I have come to know the school, its pupils, and its teachers quite well; from athletics to arts, from academics to clubs, I know life at UCC. I believe that with creativity, boldness, optimism, and open-mindedness, a Head Steward should be able to come up with many ideas to service the school, as well as be the guy who makes others feel welcome and supported.
SL – Keeping in mind that stewardship positions come with a fair amount of responsibility and stress, why do want to be Head Steward?
EB – I’ve wanted to be Head Steward for a while. Like I said in my speech, UCC is all I have: all my friends, all my amazing experiences, all my best memories. To be able to not only represent the student body, but to continue giving back to, and improving, what has transformed my life–that would be an honour. I’m also earnestly somebody who cares about friendship and human connection; as head steward, I feel that I can continue to build my relationship with everyone, as well as make connections with guys I don’t already know.
SL -If elected, what would be your primary goal (or goals) as Head Steward?
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EB – My primary goals would be to improve solidarity and brotherhood, to reduce stress and promote health and happiness, to work on transparency, and to make changes to the “little things that both add up and take-away”. You will be able to find the specifics on how I plan to address these issues in my Extended Essay. (In all seriousness, please ask me in the halls, I will be able to tell you briefly:) ).
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SL – How would you, as Head Steward, further creative and athletic pursuits at the school?
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EB – I can’t make any guarantees, but here are some thoughts. As for athletics, I think it would be cool to introduce new sport teams, (such as handball or frisbee); obviously, I know that is a reach. Nonetheless, I think house-athletics could be a great place to have students play less common sports, like the ones mentioned, or even cricket, ping-pong, and chess! There are so many fun sports out there, and I feel like we need some diversity–you know, add a little funk to party. As for the creativity, I think that we have a great arts program, and an unparalleled club total. Yet, improvements can be made. The school has many large ensembles, but few trios or small groups ever perform. Seldom are arts talents showcased in assemblies, and even less frequent is individual and group creativity explored. I think that, next year, each friday assembly (or at least bi-weekly ones) should spotlight a certain club, or a person with a unique skill–this will further the connection between us, and the appreciation for the wide-ranging creative talent and opportunity at this school. I think visual and performance arts should also be spotlighted, although I admit I have yet to figure out how.
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SL – What is something that you are truly passionate about?
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EB – Besides the classes, clubs, sports, ensembles, and volunteering opportunities I’m involved in, I’m truly passionate about helping others, Dostoevsky and other choice authors, cooking/good food, movies, and FIFA. Unfortunately, the IB has stolen my ability to enjoy the latter two. Sorry, I’m lying.. it has taken away my ability to enjoy all five.
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SL – What is your favourite thing about UCC?
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EB -My favourite thing about UCC is Aramark food.
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Charlie Dunn
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SL – What do you think that the job of UCC’s Head Steward is, and how do you think that you are qualified for the position?
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CD – The Head Steward is elected to serve and represent the UCC community as a whole. I believe I am qualified for this position because I am able to, and enjoy, interacting with all the different groups at UCC. To me, what’s the point of only being exposed to a certain group of people or aspect of life when there are so many different options out there? In terms of requirements, the position of Head steward is a privilege and an honor but above all, it’s a responsibility to the boys. In order to carry out a successful term in this position, the Head Steward must be willing and able to work hard and be open-minded to the opinions of the student body. I believe I am qualified to exemplify those characteristics.
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SL – Keeping in mind that stewardship positions come with a fair amount of responsibility and stress, why do want to be Head Steward?
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CD – I think the only truly acceptable answer to this question is that I’m running for the position of Head Steward because I love the school, and I see room for improvement. This school has offered me so many great things and it’s a place I love and am proud to call home. I see the roll of Head Steward as an opportunity to create the best experience possible for those who call it home.
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SL -If elected, what would be your primary goal (or goals) as Head Steward?
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CD – My overall goal is increasing student happiness and I would love to share and express the ideas of this community to reach that common goal. Obviously, the Head Steward has many goals and objectives in their time in the position. However, I do have some primary goals I would like to complete. Firstly, I think one of my primary goals at this time would be to increase the accessibility of the Board of Stewards to the rest of the community. I have two major ideas I would like to implement in that regard. Firstly, I think bringing the Board of Stewards into the virtual world and creating a Facebook group is beneficial. I also think creating a Stewards board around the school, complete with a calendar, comment box and steward contact information is beneficial. That way, the achievements of the Board of Stewards may be shared and the ideas and concerns of the UCC community can be accounted for. I would also like to increase the capacity and variety in our dining halls. For starters, I think opening up another cashier and reconfiguring the layout of our LD will decrease the lunchtime congestion. I also think that the dress code may be altered to increase self-expressionism and I would love to resolve last years December exam controversy. These are things that can be resolved early and I believe them to be my primary goals at the moment.
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SL – How would you, as Head Steward, further creative and athletic pursuits at the school?
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CD – To me, there are a number of things that can be done. I love house sports – they are fantastic. However, I notice that a number of the house sport seasons are too short. As an example, I would love to increase the house volleyball season because as it stands now, it’s a one game elimination. I would also love to look into increasing the amount of house sports at the school and increasing the amount of half time contests during the intermissions of sports games. I hope to represent the ideas of the whole community to make sure that we have as many creative and athletic options available as possible, and that we have as many boys as we can, out there supporting our blues.
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SL – What is something that you are truly passionate about?
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CD – Unquestionably, I am truly passionate about the college. The atmosphere this school fosters in terms of camaraderie and learning is unmatched. I feel there is no place like it. With that said, there are many things outside the college that I find myself very passionate about. One of those things is ski teaching. Now last year I found myself in a sadly familiar situation for many of us, in which I was inflicted with a concussion in an outside hockey game. So, I was forced find something new to occupy my time in the winter months. As it so happens, my new passion became ski Instructing. Ski instructing to me is a very unique experience. I love being able to see the progress my students make over the season and feel their competitive spirit as they come into race day, all while I’m able to push my self to become a better skier. I have worked hard to earn multiple levels in ski instructing and it’s a hobby I am very passionate about right now.
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SL – What is your favourite thing about UCC?
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CD – I think my favorite things about the college are the boys I share this space with. The community within these walls is filled with students from an array of backgrounds with an array of passions that all act together to create our unique community. I know I can always count on the boys in blue and white to have my back. That’s why this place is so unique; this school is filled with students from all over the world with a massive range of interests, yet we are all able to come together. This is a place where life long friendships are created and it’s a place where you will never walk alone. That’s my favorite thing about UCC.
The Blue and White 