VO TE

Spotlight

Editorial #101Welcome back VIS!Several weeks into the school term and the last remains of sunshine have given way to brisk October days and a new score of sleep-deprived students. But the pluvious Vienna autumn also marks the beginning of our annual Student Council elections – a front-row seat to not-so-friendly rivalry and intensely entertaining debates.

In this first issue of The Spotlight we present you with a selection of one-on-one interviews with the candidates running for the positions of Chair and Vice, Secretary and Treasurer in the upcoming elections. We hope that as you read them you gain insight into the character and goals of your cont-enders and the affect they will have on our school.

Here are some dates to keep in mind as we move further along in the elections.Election Week: Monday, 14th – Friday, 17th OctoberCampaign speeches: Wednesday, 16th October

Election Week: Monday, 14th – Friday, 17th OctoberCampaign speeches: Wednesday, 16th OctoberSecretary and Treasurer Debates: Thursday, 17th OctoberChair and Vice Debates: Friday, 18th OctoberVoting: Monday, 21st October

For those of you feeling inspired this season, send us your articles at the official Spotlight email visspotlight@gmail.com, we will be awaiting your submissions.Your Spotlight Team

Text Editors-Pablo Araguas-Rodriguez, Nina Grossfurthner, Chiara Haefliger, Aa-ron Kilercioglu and Megi LekaLayout Editors-Beyza Koeroglu and Binquing LiuFaculty Advisor-Charlotte Meyer Zu Natrup

CHAIR A

ND

VICE

VOTE THE TWINS EVERYBODY WINS

INDRA and BRIDGET

Why should people vote for you as Chair and Vice?Indra: Even though the other pairs may work very well together, we work better together; we are twins, we have lived together, we get to work together all the time. And also because we know each other very well, we are always on the same page.Bridget: We have also been to quite a number of international schools so far, so we have seen the things that work well in other schools and think that we can maybe bring those to VIS. Some people say they have been in VIS for a very long time and that it is an advantage, but we disagree and think we can bring something new to the table.

What changes would you like to make?Bridget: Let’s put it this way, our school doesn’t really need any changes.. It’s pretty amazing already! But there are small things we would change. We also want to bring back the posters that used to hang around school. We think that this was a vital communication medium between teachers and students. Indra: We also want to organize lunchtime TV shows. We would like to air 20 min-ute long TV- shows in the theatre during lunchtime. They would be 20 minutes so students would still have time to eat. However, this is not sure yet, we still have to talk to Ms. Stanners about this.

Bridget: We would also like to get the Panther mascot involved in every single sport, not just at assemblies. Mr Bowie is also very supportive of this idea.

How would you want to implement these ideas?Bridget: The lunchtime TV- shows are something we came up with recently, so we have not worked out the specifics yet. However, we would want these to be at least two lunch times a week.

Indra: But overall, we’ve got a very positive attitude, so we’re easy to talk and negotiate with. In terms of the oher projects, we’ve already worked with them and they’re close to being a reality if we get elected.

Interviwed by:Aaron Kilercioglu

What do you hope to achieve if you’re elected for student council?T&D: One of the things we’d like to do is to really bring the student body together, which means that we want the representatives from each of the home-rooms to really work with us so that we can actually do what the students want us to do rather than what we think they want. We also want to organize a lot of activities, including teacher-student tournaments because we know that it’s fun to see students beat the teachers at something, so we can organize teacher-stu-dent rap battles, lip-sync competitions and so on.

What sets you apart from the other candidates, and why are you running for Student Council? T&D: Well, both of us have been in the school since pre-primary and we are in-volved in a lot of activities in school. We’re both in Soccer teams, in Ski Racing, MUN, and we have been part of the Student Council since primary, so we’ve had a chance to see what makes a good student council and what needs to change. If we’re elected, we will dedicate a lot of time to the Student Council, because we want to do this and we are willing to work on it, no matter how much it takes. It’s not just another activity for us, and we’re really willing to dedicate our free time to this. We also think that we will be able to reflect on what previous coun-cils have done and see whether we can improve on that or not, so it’s not just starting from scratch but also improving on what is already there.

TIMUR AND DARA

Why should people vote for you?T&D: Having been here for a long time we’ve experienced every part of being a VIS student and we know where changes have to be made. Another very important thing is that we would be a very approachable chair and vice seeing as we’re a mixed team. This is great because, for example, girls might not be as comfortable approaching a team of boys to voice their ideas or complaints, and vice versa. Because of this we think we would represent a very mixed student body and we’re very good at working in teams. Finally, we’re both very orga-nized and we have been part of student-led activities before, so we don’t need to be told what to do or when to do it, and we believe that we are the candi-dates that can really make the difference.

Interviwed by:Pablo Araguas Rodriguez

What do you hope to achieve if you’re elected for Student Council?Sahil: We have an ambitious but realisticplan that will have perks and ben-efits to all grades, not just the oldest ones. For example, we want to organize parties, especially for grades 6-8, but it will be the students who choose the parties and themes instead of just us planning it without considering what they want. Also, we may be able to organize an indoor chill lounge for grades 9 and 10, but we’re still working on that. However, one thing that we’re sure of and very excited about is making an outdoor chill lounge. We’ve got all that we need ready for this and we’re just waiting for the final approval.

Waseem: For the older grades we’re already working on getting permission so that they don’t have to come in for homeroom if they have free periods in the morning. We’ve talked to the people involved and we are also in the process of setting up a colour printer in the library because that’s something that we know from experience everyone desperately needs at least once during the year. All of these ideas are achievable, and we’re confident that we can make them a reality.

Sahil: Like we said before, we’re not focusing on a specific grade or set of grades, but we’re just trying to do as much as we can for all of them, and we’ve got a lot of idea that are just in the planning stage now but are likely to happen.

SAHIL AND WASEEM

Why are you running for student council, and what sets you apart?Waseem: For starters, we believe that we have a very unique and applicable skill set: Sahil has organized one of the largest charity events in school, raising more than €1,000, and we both have been here for more than twelve years so we know the school and the teachers inside out. We believe we can actually make a difference because we know what is needed and we can really tackle those issues that are most urgent.

Sahil: We are already leading student-led groups, so we know what it takes to get things done. We’re running because over the years, we’ve become part of the VIS community, been involved in many of its activities, seen its potential and had some our best memories here. We want to do as much as we can to improve VIS for those who come after us.

Why should the students vote for you?W&S: We think that we’re a very student-oriented team, meaning that we’re going to focus on listening to the students and their needs; in order for us to do the best job in improving their school-life, we want to be their represen-tatives. We’re going to take this very seriously and dedicate a lot of time to it, because we really want to make VIS a better place for students.

Interviwed by:Pablo A.

SECRETARY

How would you organize your group?Sara: I would suggest to have weekly meetings in which we catch up with each other on what we have achieved, what there is still to be achieved, and what could be achieved in the future. In addition to this, to be connected at all times, we could create a social network group eg. a Facebook group, as I have found these very use-ful in the organization of my own events. As well as that, in order to keep everyone else in the school updated, I would suggest frequent meetings with the Reps and Deps of each homeroom, as well as frequent updates on the student council board.

What do you hope to accomplish by becoming a student council secretary? Sara: There are several things that I’d hope to achieve by becoming a student-council secretary. My main desire is to increase direct communication be-tween the students and the board of governors in VIS. Although our school isn’t unique in this, I’ve always wondered why there is so little communica-tion between the decision makers and the students, whoare directly affected by these decisions. The director of the school, Mr. Murphy and I will be dis-cussing how this can be achieved, shortly. However, a step towards this goal would be to increase communication between the students and the student council. Because the student council acts as one way of connecting students to the heads of our school, an important step towards my main goal is to do this. Reps and Deps will be much more involved with their homerooms by asking them about recent issues and questions they have to us and there will be more frequent meetings than we have had before. Of course, I also have my ideas about fun events and activities to make school a place of not only education and learning, but entertainment too. For example a “Battle of the Year Groups” and

SARA BEKELE

Good things come in small packages!

several themed parties such as the “ABC” (Anything But Clothing) party which will force people to become creative and find a way of covering them-selves using any items but clothing. I also have several ideas about tackling social issues in our school such as bullying but I’ve been rambling on for too long now and will keep this a surprise for later on!

What is it about your qualities that is suitable for a secretary?Sara: secretary’s job is to keep record of things, make appointments, organize events, and carry out activities of that sort and that has been something I’ve been doing for the past year. My level of commitment helps me keep up with everything that I love and gives me a passion to lead activities of that sort. As a secretary, I will be able to use this passion to satisfy the needs of my fellow students and help them enjoy some of the best years of their lives.

Interviwed by:Megi Leka

YOUR Voice YOUR Choice

STEFAN BOGENSBERGER

Why should people vote for you as secretary?Stefan: I have been in VIS for 13 years so I know the school very well. I see a lot of potential for the student council and think I could contribute. The main role of a secretary is also to organize things, which is one of my main quali-ties. And I want to implement realistic ideas, and not make empty promises.

What changes would you like to make?Stefan: I want to make many changes in the school. First of all I want to or-ganize many different parties, with different themes; which the students them-selves will get a chance to vote for. I also want to reform the system of Rep and Deps making them more effective. Student communication is also real-ly important in my opinion that is why I want to organize sessions with stu-dents, so that they know they can talk to me about anything. I have some things planned to do with sports as well. I talked to Mr. Bowie and we decided we would extend the Intermural sports program for grades 6 to 9. There is also a possibility of putting up a climbing wall for the gym, or an outside beach volleyball court. For Grade 8s I would like to change the Wagrain trip, since Florence has been my all-time favorite school trip and I hear Wagrain does not live up to it. I would also like to make some changes to the G10 activity week, making it more interesting to the G10s. In G11 I think that the students did not have enough time to prepare for various aspects of the IB such as CAS.

I would also like to introduce the availability of students that have gone through the IB process, to give advice to new IB students, and answer some of their questions. For Grade 11s and 12s I would like to make changes to the chill lounge, making it accessible after school as well.

How will you be able to implement these ideas?I am a very hard worker and I am very engaged in all the activities that I par-ticipate in. People that know me know I get the job done. Everyone who votes for me can be sure that I will bring new ideas to the school.

Interviewed by:Aaron Kilercioglu

Theresa Quitt

Why don’t you introduce yourself for those who don’t know you?Theresa: My name is Theresa Quitt, I’m in 11G and I’m going to be running for the position of secretary.

What made you decide to run for student council? Theresa: Well, I’ve been at this school for almost 14 years and I’ve seen student council members come and go, promising things that they couldn’t deliver because something in the school’s constitution didn’t allow it. I think I have more realistic ideas and I really want to make promises I can keep. I believe that the VIS student body deserves the best that they can get and I know that I can fight for that for them.

Were there any specific motivations behind running for secretary? Why not go for Chair &Vice or Treasurer?Theresa: I went for secretary mainly because I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone else for the campaigning. My close friends weren’t interested and I wasn’t going to depend on someone I didn’t know because if they then didn’t want to run anymore or they didn’t do the work, then either it would allcome down to me or I would have to pull out and I really want to be on the committee.

I promise to never Quitt on you!

What are you most passionate about achieving or improving in the school? Theresa: I don’t really want to talk too much about my proposals until I have submitted them, but one of the things I really want to push is sports, especially for the 11th and 12th graders. When taking your exams it’s important to have some physical activity for the body: it’s important for the mind as well. Anoth-er thing I want to improve is food, but from a realistic approach not making huge changes (I’m talking to the catering company this week about that). But yeah, also small things like movie nights and parties. And naturally school spirit, but that’s something I think everyone is going for.

What is your position on your fellow campaigners? Theresa: I’m happy that all my competitors are not there to tear each other down, but we are fighting for our position and what we believe in, to do the best we can for the school. Personally, I am really ready for this and I know I’m up for the task.

Finally, what sets you apart from the others?Theresa: I am a person who doesn’t take no for an answer. I will always fight for what I believe the student body deserves. I won’t let a ‘no’ from someone stop me easily and I will always try to find alternatives. I can put my foot down for the things I believe in and when I set my mind to a task nothing will stop me from achieving it, that’s a promise!

Interviewed by:Nina Großfurthner

TREASURER

Why are you running for the Student Council?I think that something needs to be done in this school, and that this school is in need of change, and I think I can be part of a Student Council that is going to bring that change to the school.

Why do you think that you are suited to the position of Treasurer?I think that I would I have all the qualities that make a good treasurer – I would be committed, I would work hard, and I really just want to change things for the students and not just for myself.Also, I’m interested in finance, and in my previous school was the so-called ‘Schülersprecher’ (which is the equivalent of a treasurer in the Austrian sys-tem), so I think I have experience and that I would do a good job.

What do you see as the qualities that the treasurer brings to the mix?Someone that works hard, is dedicated; someone that doesn’t just do this because of the reputation or for the CV, but someone who actually wants to do something for the school.

What are you campaigning for? What are your ideas?I want to do a variety of things: obviously I want to have parties espe-cially for younger grades (Grade 6- and 7s), so that they don’t feel

Aaron Kilercioglu for Treasurer

“The choice is yours – make the right one. Vote Aaron for Trea-surer”

excluded because it sucks to be a youner student and to have to go to parties with Grade 10s that exclude you. Secondly, an important part of my campaign would be to bring smooth-ies to the cafeteria, because I always see students in Grades 11 and 12 going to the DZ and buying smoothies during their ‘frees’ and bringing them back to school. I’m sure that Grade 6 to 10s also love smoothies, and I think it would just be great to have smoothies in school – because everyone loves smoothies.And third of all I want to be a bit different than the previous treasur-ers – I don’t want to have ideas and then simply force those and ‘that’s it for the year’. What I want to do is enforce ideas that are given to me throughout the year- so if a student is interested in something and thinks that it is necessary for the school, they can come to me, tell me those things, and if I hear this from a variety of students I will try to implement this.Could you elaborate on your student communication idea?Well, obviously I want students to come to me and talk to me if I get elected because I want to be open to any suggestions. But to make it easier for stu-dents, I would, first of all, use surveys through my ideas, so that I would see which things they prefer, how much they would pay for things, etc. And I would set up a part of the website of the student council where you can give suggestions.I am also definitely planning to develop the website a bit more; maybe use some help to make it more appealing, aesthetically, and maybe have more interesting things for students on there, like notifications of what’s going to happen if they want to participate in something, CAS projects, and also ideas for CAS projects that they can participate in – and not just an empty, boring website. How are you going to make your ideas happen?I will to talk to Ms. Dawber, to Ms. Stanners, and Mr. Murphy. I know those teachers very well, and I don’t think my ideas are impossible – they’re nothing radical, they’re just something that could benefit the school. And I don’t see why with hard work and dedication they would not be possible.“Vote Aaron for treasurer because I am dedicated, I will work hard and I want to create a Student Council for the students, by the students.”

SPOTLIGHTComing Soon

Mid-October