The Sun sat down with this year’s class presidents to find out what ideas they’re bringing to MHS.
Moorestown High School’s four class presidents are trying to create memories. Each student’s approach may be different, but for all four, the role entails being approachable and cultivating personal relationships with their classmates. The Sun sat down with this year’s class presidents to find out what ideas they’re bringing to MHS.
Joe DiMarino, senior class president
Joe DiMarino is something of an anomaly, having served as class president during all four years of his time at Moorestown High School. He said typically students who serve freshman year are not elected again the following year, but he thinks some sound advice from his older brother enabled him to stay in office.
He said his brother encouraged him to make his decisions based on what he thinks is right rather than trying to please one person.
“[He said] make sure you make the decision you think is right — sticking to what you believe in and what you value,” DiMarino said.
More than anything, being a class president in DiMario’s eyes is about fostering respect among his peers. He said he feels like he’s cultivated a positive rapport with all of his classmates by taking the time to get to know each person by name.
The last three years have taught DiMarino valuable lessons in leadership. He said serving as president has taught that he’s not always right and the importance of taking multiple perspectives into account. He said he learned solving disputes democratically is often the most fair and wise solution. He said when student council members find themselves at an impasse, they’ll put the decision up to a vote by their grade and let the students decide what they think is best.
DiMarino said his favorite part of his time in office has been the public speaking. He said as class president, he’s served as the master of ceremonies at this year’s pep rally and delivered a speech during the Veterans Day ceremony.
“I’m just proud of being able to be president all four years,” DiMarino said. “I’m really grateful.”
He said if he had to characterize this year’s senior class in a word, it would be “passionate.” DiMarino said since entering the school, the class of 2018 has been a group of high achievers.
DiMarino will deliver the senior class president’s speech at the Class of 2018 graduation ceremony.
Tommy Londres, junior class president
A desire to conquer his fear of public speaking was what compelled Tommy Londres to run for sophomore class president last year. Going into his second year as a class president, Londres said his time in office has helped him face those nerves head-on.
As junior class president, Londres said he’s been exposed to a variety of public speaking — from light-hearted speeches to his classmates about what’s to come during spirit week to the more serious tone that came with speaking during MHS’ Veterans Day assembly. He said these experiences have helped him tackle his fears and grow.
In terms of the presidency, Londres said he feels like his role gives him a good amount of influence on MHS events. He said Student Council meets every Thursday to discuss any plans in the works.
“Being president takes up a big leadership role,” Londres said. “That’s what i’ve been working on — leading this class.”
He said this year’s junior class is a well-rounded group of students. He said his classmates bring both passion and excitement to MHS.
He was inspired to run because he had “a vision for Moorestown High School.” He said by putting forth genuine effort and hard work, he’s developed relationships with a variety of groups in the school, which he said has enabled him to get things done effectively. He said every class president puts forth a lot of work to ensure Spirit Week is a success.
While Londres thinks the school is well-run, he said looking forward, he has two goals. The first is to increase student engagement. He said he wants to encourage students to attend the events Student Council plans. He said his second goal is to have MHS develop an ongoing relationship with a charity or nonprofit.
Londres plans to run for the role of senior class president in the spring.
Jack Comegno, sophomore class president
Jack Comegno has been focusing his efforts as sophomore class president around a central theme: unity.
“I want our grade to come together more and just enjoy high school and have a better time here and create great memories,” Comegno said.
Comegno said his goal is to get students engaged during their time at MHS. In the broad sense, to him that means encouraging his classmates to join a sport or a club. He said he wants students to have positive memories to look back on.
Having previously served as freshman class president, Comegno said he’s learned the role entails being available to his classmates and making sure his grade is informed about upcoming events. He said going into his second year as president, he feels like he’s connected with more students and has a greater wealth of information about what goes on in the school.
For Comegno, being sophomore class president is about bringing ideas to the table that can be accomplished over the course of the year. He said one idea that came to fruition last year was the first-ever Cotillion Dance for freshmen and sophomores, which will be held again this year.
Of his grade, Comegno said in his mind, there are no bad kids. He said most people are nice to one another, and overall, he’d characterize MHS as a “welcoming community.”
“I feel like our school has great spirit with all the students,” Comegno said. “I feel like the teachers make the students want to learn and strive to be better.”
Comegno plans on running for junior class president in the spring.
Margaret Lawler, freshman class president
As a naturally outgoing person, Margaret Lawler said she’s always felt at ease taking charge and speaking in front of people. When it came time for the freshman class to elect a president this fall, she knew she wanted to put these skills to work to have a voice in what goes on at MHS.
Lawler said it wasn’t any big gesture that got her elected. She said she thinks it may have been the little things — from going up to a classmate and asking how he or she is doing to making sure someone is having a good day — that inspired her classmates to vote for her.
As a freshman, Lawler said she thinks she brings a fresh perspective to student council.
“I feel like I can bring some different ideas,” Lawler said. “I can take ideas from different [students] in our grade to change things up.”
In terms of changes, Lawler said it’s all about breathing new life into current traditions. She said based on conversations with her sister, who is a junior, she learned that MHS’ Spirit Week has had the same format nearly every year, and she’d like to bring new ideas for theme days to next year’s Spirit Week to make things “exciting so people don’t feel like it’s repetitive every year.”
She said this year’s freshman class brings a different perspective to the table. Lawler said she’d characterize her class as outgoing because for them everything is new.
Her goal as freshman class president is a simple one: “making sure everyone is having fun.”
Lawler plans to run for the role of sophomore class president in the spring.
