Catherine Liu, who recently came back from building a school in Nicaragua with BuildOn and is also this year’s concertmaster of Harriton Orchestra, sat down with the Banner to talk about her plans for Harriton. She will be running against Jake Diamond-Reivich in the general elections on April 20th.

HB: What is your favorite part of Harriton?

CL: Probably that exclusion is not a huge issue. I feel like it’s a problem at all schools, but here, everyone I know has a group of friends or people they can go to, and I think that’s really great.

HB: In reference to your campaign video’s suggestion of an afternoon breakfast table, is afternoon breakfast table an oxymoron?

CL: I guess it is. [But] who doesn’t like breakfast foods in the afternoon? People go to IHOP at like 11 at night!

HB: Considering that the campus was closed more than four decades ago, what argument would you make for its reopening?

CL: Since it’s been closed for so long, it’s definitely a different generation of students so it wouldn’t hurt to open the campus and see how that works out. If it doesn’t work out and people are taking advantage of that privilege, then obviously we wouldn’t be able to have it anymore. I think it would be nice to have the opportunity to give that privilege a chance.

HB: Are you aware that student council has proposed this in the past and it was rejected?

CL: I have heard that, but even if it is something that is rejected again, there needs to be a bigger push for it.

HB: What do you think of the legal issues about this plan?

CL: There definitely would have to be a lot done to make that happen, but they’ve had it in the past, so I think it could definitely be done again.

HB: Have you spoken about this to administrators?

CL: I haven’t discussed it with any administrators, but I have discussed it with a few teachers. They think it would be something a lot of students would benefit from, because it would be what they need so they can come back and be focused again.

HB: What would you bring to the position of treasurer?

CL: A big thing is keeping communication open between the treasurer and all of Student Council and also the student body, as a lot of people don’t know what happens. So, a lot of people might know who the treasurer is, but they don’t know what the treasurer does, like Mr. Harriton ads or anything like that. With communication, I think its really important that people outside Student Council be able to contact people inside Student Council.

HB: Why are you qualified for this position?

CL: Last year, I was in Student Council, so I was able to see how a lot of Student Council works, and my brother was treasurer last year so I saw a lot of things he did for Mr. Harriton and other council-related things. I also worked with Willie to do the scoring for Mr. Harriton and I experienced that this year. Also I am a TSA officer and concertmaster for orchestra, so I have had experience with leadership positions.

HB: Why did you choose to run for treasurer?

CL: I want to do something in business when I’m older. I think that the financial aspect of being treasurer is what drew me to that.

HB: What does treasurer do?

CL: The treasurer’s job is to keep track of the money that Student Council is in charge of. And also, a big part of the treasurer’s job is to do the ads for Student Council, as well as keep the council’s funds organized. Another part is reimbursements. If a student purchases something for Student Council, then they bring the receipt to the treasurer, and the treasurer files a reimbursement for the student.

HB: Why should students vote for you?

CL: Students should vote for me because — well, the ideas that I have, I’m not going to promise that they are going to happen, — but definitely I’m going to push for them. I’m not going to just say these things and not do anything about it next year and basically act like I never said those things.

If you advertise something in a campaign, it’s definitely something you should push for.

HB: What else do you wish to add?

CL: I’m really active in BuildOn, so community service is important for me. I recently came back from Nicaragua. We were building a school there, and I feel that would probably be beneficial as I have been exposed to things which have really opened my eyes.

Growing up in this area, I feel that we’re very privileged and we’re a very privileged community and school, especially for a public school, so for me, going to a third-world country and living in conditions which were drastically different than everything we’re used to, really helps me to understand what is outside our little world.

HB: How would you bring that experience to Council?

CL: I think to help students understand and give back to the school and the community more. Obviously, we’re supposed to do things for the community. It has to do with being conscious about people and their lives and just giving back.