The new Junior Class Officers for 2026-2027 are already bubbling with ideas for next year, all on how to plan the events that will define the school year. Not only Prom, but also ways to bring the class together, in a way that will change the class dynamic.

The officers were announced Tuesday, May 12, after current sophomores were allowed to vote on a pool of candidates. The winners, in alphabetical order, are Elle Chambers, Olivia Hermsen, Olivia Hizon, Aurelia Kuchera, and Emily Valenta.

There are some differences between the senior class officers and their junior counterparts. For one, the junior class officers are not as highly campaigned. Each senior officer holds a specific role and title: president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer, for a total of four officers. The juniors, on the other hand, don’t have specific titles, and there are five in total. 

Prom is probably the most anticipated event of the school year, and students are bound to be curious about what next year’s theme will be. However, it seems the subject of the Prom theme is a bit more complicated – touchy, even – than students might have expected; secretive, almost.

Chambers: “We don’t really have, like, a set-in-stone theme, but we definitely… wanna incorporate, like, a lot of fun colors, like sparkly vibe, fun vibe, just all that stuff.”

Hermsen: “I don’t know how much I’m gonna say, but I just think lots of bright colors and just good vibes.”

Hizon:  “I don’t know if we’re allowed to really go into detail about that yet…” “We’re thinking a lot of, like, kind of whimsical stuff…”

Kuchera: “I mean, there was the whole catalog book, and I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say ’cause we’re kind of supposed to keep it a secret until, like, we know… there’s lots of fun ones in there, so.”

Valenta: “I really want it to be like – ’cause it’s in the spring – I wanna go with, like, spring colors, but we haven’t really decided yet…”

Prom is not the only event the officers are looking forward to next year. Each has her own vision for what to do next year, how they are going to bring the incoming juniors together as a class.

Chambers: “I really wanna be, like, more bonded as a class. I feel like our class… a lot of us know each other, but we don’t really do much bonding or events, like, as a class, so I think it would be fun to incorporate more of that.”

Hermsen: “We kinda have a good plan of what we wanna do for Prom…” “I like our idea, and I think a lot of people will like it, too.”

Hizon: “I really just wanna see more student involvement ‘cause I feel like a lot of times people don’t get involved because it’s not fun…” “I feel like if we can make it just a better environment, that’ll get more involvement, and I think that’s my biggest goal for this next year.”

Kuchera: “There’s so many different, like, themes … and I’m super excited to see what we can do for next year.”

Valenta: “I really want Prom to be fun, and I want people to want to go to it, and not just, like, go because you go to Prom, and… go because it’s fun, you know?”

Being a class officer is a responsibility that is new to juniors, and each of the officers had her own reasons for wanting to take on the challenge. The endeavor is a prime opportunity for students to gain leadership roles within the school.

Chambers: “I love taking on, like, leadership roles, …that kinda stuff, and I thought this was a really good and kinda simple opportunity to introduce me to that role… to build up to senior class officer.”

Hermsen: “I just feel like having a leadership role is very important, not only for college applications, but also just for getting involved in the school and meeting new people.”

Hizon: “I just thought it’d be a fun way to have a leadership position, I guess, in the school, and planning Prom sounded really fun… plus me and my friend are doing it together… so I thought it’d be a fun opportunity for us to step up together.”

Kuchera: “[A friend] just told me, like, how fun it was and how much of a good opportunity it is to get involved at school and everything.”

Valenta: “I wanted to get more involved, I would say. And my friend said it was a really fun and easy opportunity to do that.”

These officers aren’t just students set apart. They are involved, actively participating in activities within and outside of school, whether that be clubs, sports or other activities. 

Each officer has her own little quirks or fun facts that are not normally seen. They each are unique to themselves, yet united with the responsibilities of being the new junior class officers.

Chambers: “My middle name is Kansas.”

Hermsen: “On the outside, I’m very loud, but if I’m meeting someone new, I’m very quiet. But if you’re, like, one of my good friends, I talk a lot to you…”

Hizon: “I run. I like being outside a lot. I like to travel.”

Kuchera: “I’m left handed… I have three sisters.”

Valenta: “I play multiple instruments… I can surf.”