Gathering in the school gym for flex time, students talked among themselves before the assembly began. Soon as everyone had gathered, the presentation was underway and campaign speeches for student government began. With previews into immersion trips in between, the assembly reached its end. Following the speeches, voting opened for class presidents, Student Body President and Vice President.  

The following week, on April 24, it was announced that junior Ezra Moody was elected by the students to be the next Student Body President for 2023-24 school year.

Hoping to find the best, most efficient, and impactful way to voice his ideas, Moody, in his current position of Co-officer of Inclusion, aimed for the top position on student council. 

Though Moody was worried about being Student Body President, after winning, he also is hopeful, as he likes to remain optimistic. Moody has no plans to completely change anything, but he does have many ideas on what to improve.

One of his top priorities for next year is to raise participation in affinity groups. Though plans are not finalized, he hopes to require each group to bring one project to the community each semester. 

“I love our affinity groups, but I feel like they could [have] some more participation and involvement in our community,” Moody said. 

He hopes to maintain affinity group involvement in the community, instead of starting off strong and dwindling as the year goes on, which is something that Moody noticed happening in the recent years since returning from the pandemic. He has observed that many public schools host affinity group meetings each week and hopes that La Salle can begin doing that as well.

Moody plans to give more attention to smaller sports and groups, like the arts and theater, by gathering more students to attend games and showcases. He wants to be able to present all that students can do at events, like the Academic Showcase. Moody also hopes to prompt all sports to help give better acknowledgment for all the work students put into them and make everyone feel more included. 

Inclusivity is very important to Moody, and he wants all students to feel welcome. Having dealt with feelings of imposter syndrome at times, he wants other students to feel like they belong. 

“I feel like inclusivity will allow us to grow strong bonds with one another,” Moody said. “And it gets rid of the idea of being isolated and isolating people where they can’t have any friends.”  

Listening to students’ voices will also be a priority for Moody, as he has expressed that he is a big supporter of the implementation of new Town Hall Meetings to gather input from students about any matter, such as events like prom or homecoming.  

Any student will be welcome to join and share their opinions, concerns, or suggestions at these meetings which will be open to all students to come by at any time while they are happening. 

Moody also hopes to continue to promote the school’s fundraising event Better Together. To do so, he has made the promise to shave his head if students reach the fundraising goal next year. 

“It’s actually been something on my bucket list,” Moody said. “You only live once.”

Alongside these new goals, Moody hopes to continue the Roots Festival and dodgeball events that were hosted this year, which he hopes will develop into traditions that will continue for the years to come. 

If Moody was to give advice to any student, it would be to prepare to speak in public and, if that is stressful for a student, to imagine that they are in a room full of whatever makes them comfortable. 

“Speaking in public is a huge thing that a lot of people on the student council can get uncomfortable with,” Moody said. “But sometimes you have to take it and speak to the crowd of people.”

As this school year begins to wrap up, Moody reflected on his time as an officer. From his experience, he has learned that he doesn’t have to do everything alone and can ask others for help. With his experience as an officer and what he was able to learn, he is ready to collaborate with other Leadership members and other students. 

Moody is especially excited to work with Amani Campbell and Ale Garcia, next year’s Officers of Inclusion. He is happy that they will be taking the position he had this year. 

With many plans for next year, Moody hopes to reach many of his goals, boosting student culture and building a safe environment where all students feel welcome.

“I feel like students should know this is a safe place that they can express their own beliefs and what they value,” Moody said.