First, there was Julius Caesar, Henry VIII, and Margaret Thatcher, and now, at Saint Stephen’s, there is senior class president Hao Li.

The role of the class president at Saint Stephen’s has been defined by the leader’s ability to lead their class through spirit events, organize class meetings, and plan dances and events.

Last year, a time in which we saw the rise of what many see as one of the best Class Presidents in history, (Hao Li), the question is: Can anyone beat Hao and the class of ‘25 this spirit event season? 

Last year’s spirit competition was one of the more controversial in Saint Stephens’ history. The class of 2025, led by Li, outperformed and gave the class of ’24 a run for their money, ultimately tying the senior class.

The class of ‘24 ultimately went on the Spirit Trip to Busch Gardens, an administrative decision that proved controversial, leading some to claim that the spirit season is, indeed, rigged.  

Former StuCo President Theo Frano rejected those claims, stating that rigging a spirited season is impossible due to the way judging works.

In any event, Li, the now-senior class president, appears unbeatable, and with a fiery HoCo on the horizon arriving on Oct. 26, many wonder if the other classes even have a shot.  

Sophomore Class President Max Ruzek said that for his grade, second place is a reasonable goal.  

“100%, 2nd place is possible,” Ruzek said. “It just depends on how the class works together.” 

Ruzek also didn’t shy away from the idea of actually toppling the senior class.  

“It is possible to get 1st place and beat the seniors,” Ruzek added.

Junior Class President Sanjay Dastidar was also confident in his grade’s ability to pull out an upset on the soon-to-be graduates.  

“We can beat all the grades,” Dastidar said. “Teamwork and time out of school,” according to Dastidar, will be the Junior’s strategy.

Dastidar shared that he will be leading the junior’s dance-off this year and that “the class of 2026 is more motivated this year.” 

Senior Class President Hao Li, based on his years of experience, does not seem concerned about his class’s chances.

“I don’t think the senior class has anything to worry about,” Li said. “It’s our last chance to do something like this and we don’t want strategy or stress ruining our experiences.”

“Put simply,” Li added, “our strategy is to be ourselves.”

As we all know from past experiences, talk is easy, and it’s action that counts. 

It may not be what all of the underclassmen want to hear, but they are all in for a big surprise come spirit-event time.

In the Class of 2025, we have a grade whom, for the first time in decades, dominated the seniors as an under-class, only “losing” when a variety of what some see as external forces cost them the Busch Gardens trip.

The reality is— the class of ‘25 is a powerful, unified class that will work together during Homecoming and every spirit event down the line in ways some of our classes can only dream of. And I believe they’ll come out on top.

It is possible that the sophomores, the class of 2027, will be the sleeper team of the 2024 HoCo/spirit season. That’s not to say they’ll pull off 1st place— that may be an impossibility— but they may be the Cinderella that could upset the juniors if the class of ‘26 doesn’t watch out. 

The freshman class of 2028 have a daunting season ahead of them. Not only are they at a disadvantage because they’re new, but they also have a tough time working together, something that was clear when I was an 8th grader, with them in 7th. 

Finally, let’s talk about the juniors, the Class of 2026. This class needs no explanation.  Last year, junior, Grace Baxendale, documented the struggles they’ve had working together. But on the other hand, I believe they are more motivated this year, and they certainly don’t want to end up in last place. The motivation probably won’t be enough to top the sophomore or senior class, though. 

What homecoming all comes down to, though, is Hao Li.  The leader that most of the student body sees maybe once, or twice in a generation, and most find it doubtful that any class can defeat him.  And I’m in the same boat.  

Hao thinks this year will be a guaranteed victory for the class of 2025 and they are only competing with themselves.

“We’re not worried about anyone,” Li said. “Our only struggle is going to be being better than who we were last year.”