by Eva Araujo, photography editor
Every few years, a prodigal leader is born. If they’re lucky, parents are blessed with maybe one of these leaders in the family. And, if they’re really lucky, they’re the Malavé family.
Freshman Carmen Malavé has chosen to follow in her sister Celina Malavé’s footsteps by serving as freshman class president.
“Celina was class president all four years and then was student body president her senior year,” Malavé said. “I’m planning on following in her footsteps. I just felt that I could step up to the plate.”
Malavé believes that she was meant to be a leader.
“I kind of got into it because of my sister, but now it’s just because I like leading,” Malavé said. “I like to set things up and have other people do it, because I always have this specific way I would like things to be run.”
This isn’t the first year Malavé has decided to take on a leadership role, and it likely won’t be the last.
“I ran for president my 7th grade year, 6th grade year and for 8th grade,” Malavé said. “I’m thinking about running for president every year until I’m a senior. I think I might even run for student body president.”
Malavé explains her leadership position and the responsibilities that come with being a class president. She says it’s not always easy especially being the youngest class president at the school.
“Being president in 7th and 8th grade I was like, ‘Oh, look at me, I’m so cool,’ but everything is a little more serious now,” Malavé said. “Now people look up to me and I have this responsibility to give advice. It’s nice being that person that people go to [for advice].”
Malavé said she looks up to her older sister, who is guiding her through her first year as a high school class president through words of wisdom left for her in a diary.
“My sister wrote [in the diary] to always strive for perfection,” Malavé said. “Never take less from yourself and always do your best. If you’re going to make a 99, go for that last point. I want to be like that.”
Malavé says she plans on working towards exceeding her sister’s high school achievements and continue leading even after her high school career.
“Freshman year is really about getting in the groove, but I’m going to start now striving for that goal of perfection,” Malavé said. “I can see myself being a leader past high school. Some people are even like “Carmen is going to be the President,” but I mean I don’t know about that.”
Family is a big part of what shapes Malavé into who she is and wants to achieve. Malavé’s brother, Carlos Malavé, couldn’t be prouder of what his younger sister has brought to the plate.
“I’m so proud of her accomplishments,” Carlos Malavé said. “And the fact that she is getting involved early in high school makes me happy.”
Malavé meets with the student council every Monday to prepare school wide fundraisers. This year, she has planned to sell snow cones during lunches to raise money. When asked why Malavé thinks it is her job to lead her class, she responded with a simple statement:
“I mean, someone’s gotta do it.”
