Q/A with Senior Class President Anna Grisel

Manasvi Reddy, Copy Editor|August 21, 2019

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Rider Senior Class President Anna Grisel has high expectations for the 2019-20 school year.

Senior Anna Grisel was elected class president after emerging victoriously from a grueling election last spring. Less than two weeks into the school year, the senior class officers have already hosted one event and are looking to gather students for many more in the months to come. As Rider’s officers prepare for a school year full of new traditions and ambitious goals, Grisel sat down with The Rider Chronicle to discuss her expectations for the school year as well as how she has adjusted to her new leadership position.

Q: This year, the senior class officers have implemented a new tradition: senior sunrise. How did this idea emerge, and are there any other completely new traditions the class of 2020 plans to start at Rider?

A: The idea (for senior sunrise) came from Zayana (Uddin, senior class vice president). There’s a couple things in the works right now, so hopefully we can get them all taken care of. I know we wanted to try and do something with Old High’s senior class as well, so hopefully that can become a tradition.

Q: If there is a message you could send out to the entire class of 2020, what would you encourage them to do during their senior year?

A: Take advantage of this last year because high school is the time for us to progress and to become the people that we’re going to be for the rest of our lives, and this is our last year to have that safety net, so just really take advantage of that.

Q: You’ve been a class officer for multiple years now, but this year, you’re senior class president. What does this role mean to you, and what do you feel your overarching responsibility is to Rider High School?

A: It’s been good for me to realize that it’s OK to have an opinion on things and to act on it as long as we can respect everyone’s opinions. I feel like it’s just my responsibility to be an example and to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and loved in high school.

Q: What are you personally the most excited for during your senior year from a class president standpoint?

A: I’m probably most excited for our senior gift! It’s going to be a surprise, but I think it’s going to be really awesome.

Q: In May 2019, the class of 2020 had the most intense officer election Rider has seen is awhile. What did the campaigning process teach you about yourself and your peers?

A: As far as my peers, I guess I’m impressed that we have so many people that care so much. For me, it (the election) taught me how to stay calm in situations, to sometimes remove myself from situations and realize that it’s OK to not be 90 million percent competitive! The main thing was that I realized that it’s not worth burning friendships over.

Q: This group of senior class officers has been the most driven to change things up at Rider. What has inspired the need for change and more involvement from the officers?

A: Actually, I’m really excited about this group of class officers. It’s already been so good! I feel like it’s not anything that inspired us to change it (the way officers have been involved in the past) or something that we saw wrong. I feel like it’s just that all of us have a really positive outlook and are able to see where we can improve, what we want to add and really just put forth that work to make it our very best. Hopefully, each year they (future officers) will be able to take their own spin on that and it just continues to get better and better.

Q: You’re a student yourself. How has taking on this leadership role for years now changed your life, and how are you hoping it will impact your future once you graduate from Rider?

A: Well, right now, I think it’s just been so fun. I feel like I’ve really gotten to know most of my class. So, it’ll be really cool for me to move on and, 10 years from now, look back on all those friendships I made. I think it’s taught me a lot about how to come up with an idea and learn how to follow through on it, which is something that I struggle with. I think that will be a good skill for me to have in life.