‘Miller the Builder’: Seneca High School sophomore elected onto New Jersey Association of Student Councils
The adorable teen had an even more adorable campaign: to “build” a stronger NJASC
For Seneca High School sophomore Madison Miller, the most nerve-wracking part of running for the New Jersey Association of Student Councils Executive Board wasn’t the fear of not getting elected, the thought speaking in front of a crowd or even the pressure of the campaign in its entirety; but instead simply keeping her speech within the two-minute time frame.
That, in itself, speaks volumes for the newly elected 2018 NJASC State Executive Board member’s vivacious personality.
“That was the biggest challenge,” Miller jokingly stated. Miller explained that getting tapped on the shoulder during a speech signaled that the speaker’s time was running out.
“So, the goal was to not get tapped,” Madison’s mom, Nicole Miller, added lightheartedly.
Miller has been involved in student council since sixth grade, and became president of student council in eighth. But, her most recent accomplishment — being elected to the NJASC — sparked her interest when she attended her first convention, where Miller decided she wanted to be a part of something even bigger.
“Seeing those kids up on the stage, how much of an impact they were having on all the schools — and me — I wanted to have that impact on other kids,” Miller said. “I thought, these kids are so cool. I want to be up there with them.”
“She was planning this for months,” Nicole noted. “It’s a goal that she’s had for such a long time.”
Miller, the NJASCs new executive member in charge of publications, will be responsible for the writing aspect, working on booklets and agendas, and additionally managing social media accounts such as Twitter and Instagram.
Miller, the only Seneca student elected onto the NJASC, has bigger plans, though: to make it even stronger.
“Not a bunch of people know about NJASC, so I want to make it more popular,” Miller said. “I want to make a YouTube and document everything we do, so kids can see what NJASC is all about.”
As if her determined spirits and lively energy weren’t enough to win you over, her creative campaign certainly would be.
“My campaign was “Miller the Builder, to build a stronger NJASC — can we do it? Yes we can,” Miller said. The campaign, which evolved from the children’s show Bob the Builder, was a catchy way to win over her peers.
“I picked the campaign because I thought it was kind of funny,” Miller laughs. “But, in a sense, it had lots of good points.”
Miller also cleverly based her speech upon tools, such as a construction hat and wrench, to support her initiative to “build” a stronger NJASC.
“I’ll make sure I will always protect the voice of all the students,” Miller said, alluding to the hat. And, as for the wrench — “I want to tighten the bond between all the schools of New Jersey.”
Seneca’s student council, Miller said, was her greatest support system throughout the process. According to Miller, the president of student council’s dad — who works in construction — brought in vests and hats for the students to show their support and help her campaign. At Seneca, Miller’s role in student council is 10th-grade liaison.
“I go back and forth between seeing what [the] student government is doing, and reporting to student council,” Miller said. She’s also chairing this year’s blood drive.
Miller’s passion for getting involved is evident — she also plays lacrosse and is part of GETV, the school’s TV club. At 16 years old, Miller already has hopes of pursuing a career in broadcast, and has even completed an internship with CBS3.
At home, Miller’s mom described her as a huge helper when it comes to her younger siblings, as well as “a leader in the house.”
“I think Maddie will do great in whatever she decides to do,” her mom added. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders, she’s organized, she’s disciplined.” Nicole also praised her daughter’s go-getter mentality.
“She’s selfless in helping others, and taking charge in whatever needs to be done, or whoever needs help,” she continued. “She’s the first person to volunteer in a group when other people don’t want to volunteer. She’ll just do it, no matter what happens to her socially,” Nicole said “I’m very proud of her.”
