2028 Council Candidates
Hey, Class of 2028! Class Council elections are almost here. Read a little about the candidates who want to represent your class!
Pranav Burra
Average height. Above average goals.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I want to actually win the rallies and grade vs. grade competitions. Every year, sophomores have been dead last in motivation and ability, (even worse than freshmen) and I want to change that.
Poongodi Chidambaram
Looking for someone to power up your student council? then I'm your candidate. My name is Poongodi Chidambaram and I am thrilled to represent all of you at the Student council.
As a new student to this district, I’ve been warmly welcomed into this amazing community and I’m excited to bring new ideas, fresh perspectives and a deep appreciation for the unique qualities that make our school special. My enthusiasm for teamwork and active lifestyle have taught me the importance of collaboration, perseverance and staying connected.
I promise to bring my cheery attitude and active involvement to the student council. Let’s turn ideas into action!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My driving purpose to be on the student council is to drive positive change by fostering inclusivity and connection and bring energy and enthusiasm to the community.
I’m passionate about creating initiatives that bring students together, celebrate diversity, and build stronger sense of community. I would like to organize fun events and initiate meaningful discussions while making sure every voice is amplified and everyone feels like they belong.
I firmly believe small actions lead to big results and committed to turning ideas into actions. I’m always ready to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to every project, event, and meeting.
Tharunika Chinnakonda Mahesh Babu
My name is Tharunika Chinnakonda Mahesh Babu. I enjoy dancing and listening to all kinds of music. I have participated in band and now in choir. I love hanging out with others and making new friends. In my free time I make art and help out around the house. I love biking a lot, I bike during the weekends and when I go to school. At the moment I’m very interested in podcasts, I listen to crime podcasts all the time.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I’m running to be apart of student council because I’m passionate about making a difference in the lives of my fellow classmates. Providing a positive and safe environment to create a better sense of community, empowering others to be themselves, increasing school spirit, and more. I will represent my class’s concerns and opinions on important matters. I am committed to working hard and improving our school.
Anna Chuang
Hey ‘28! My name is Anna Chuang and I am excited to run for your Class of 2028 Student Council for the 25-26 school year. Serving as your Rally Chair for this past year has been incredible–I made unforgettable memories, grown as a leader, and strengthened my passion for bringing our class together. I have dedicated over 150 volunteer hours, including tutoring ESL students, performing music at senior homes and more. My serious commitments to sports (comp swimmer for 10+ yrs), music (piano for 10+ yrs), and giving to the community reflects my dedication, strong work ethic, and ability to balance responsibilities while always giving my best.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I will focus on achieving 3 main goals: plan exciting class events that increase student participation; actively listen to students; and promote a positive, inclusive school environment. I believe that as a hardworking, dedicated, and dependable student with strong leadership experience can contribute to unifying/strengthening our class. I aim to make a meaningful impact–whether it’s through addressing student concerns, organizing events, or allowing everyone to feel like they are connected, heard, and supported by each other. Overall, the shared experiences are what brings us together, and I’d love the opportunity to help make that happen.
Aayush Das
Hi! I'm Aayush Das and I'm thrilled to be running for the class of 2028's '25 - '26 class council. A really important thing about me is that I love interacting with others. I make sure to always provide help and support to the ones around me. I value having opportunities to help my peers solve the problems they are dealing with. If you come to me with the ideas you would like to contribute, I can assure you they will be addressed and projected to the rest of our future class council. Some other things about me are that I’m strongly passionate about photography and I’m deeply committed to my responsibilities as a yearbook staffer.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I am eager to consider our students’ voices and support their valuable ideas along with the rest of our future class council. I have extreme admiration for our hardworking students, which fuels my strong desire to give back to our class by organizing more class-wide events and competitions. These events will also help connect students and bring them closer together, which is one of my main priorities. Another reason why I want to run for class council is to bring fresh and unique ideas to improve existing events like homecoming. These are just some of the primary reasons out of many that compel me to run for class council.
Jake Dong
Hi, my name is Jake Dong, and I'm running for YOUR student council. So far at Cupertino I've participated in our marching band and winter percussion programs, competing at a state (and soon national) level. During my time at Hyde I was a part of WEB, helping guide incoming 6th graders through the transition from 5th to 6th grade. Through these programs, I have both gained teamwork and leadership skills. I also enjoy designing, as I've designed the homecoming apparel this year and submitted designs for class apparel. Because of this, I consider myself an outgoing and artistic person and believe these qualities can help me in student council.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
The driving purpose for me is to improve our class's experience at Cupertino High School. Last year I had a lot of fun designing stuff for homecoming and watching those items be used our hoco rally, and I'm inspired to be a bigger part of that. I am also running for my friends, they've also inspired me to run this year and I want to run to make my classmates' experiences at this school better.
Saanvika Gudala
Running for student council is about impact, not just a title. Leadership means listening, collaborating, and acting. Through my nonprofit, Focus for Good, I’ve worked with 20+ organizations, capturing moments that inspire change. I’ve led a chess camp, mentored young pianists, and assisted at Kumon, earning 200+ volunteer hours and two PVSA awards. With leadership in Scouts, earning the Gold Award in Girl Scouts and Star rank in Boy Scouts, I’ll amplify student voices, enhance events, and expand service to strengthen our school community.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
Leadership is about action, making a difference, and amplifying voices. I want to join student council to create meaningful opportunities and foster an inclusive school environment. As the founder of Focus for Good, a nonprofit, I’ve worked with over 20 organizations. I’ve taught chess, piano, language skills, and cybersecurity to students, gaining valuable leadership experience. If elected, I’ll focus on enhancing student engagement, expanding leadership opportunities, and promoting community service to create a connected, supportive school. Vote for me to make a lasting impact!
Siddhant Jain
Hey Freshmen! My name is Siddhant Jain and I’m stoked to be one of your candidates running to be on class council! As a responsible and outgoing person, I feel like I have the tools and skills necessary to be a great fit for this role. My main goal is to give everyone a voice in council and have a say in all of our decisions. Adding on, being a member of the boys soccer team this past season taught me many lessons I think are essential in having a cohesive council, like teamwork and adaptability. One of my hobbies is listening to music and some of my favorite artists include Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, and Drake!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My driving purpose for being on council is to be a strong voice for my peers, create a positive school environment, and a lasting impact. I want to guarantee that all freshmen feel represented and heard while enhancing events, student life, and decisions. Through increasing class spirit, dedication, and connection, I plan to lessen the gap between our class as a whole. My ultimate goal is to make our next year memorable for everyone! It would be an honor to serve you all on council and a vote would be much appreciated!
Zoe Jerajani
Hey, Class of 2028! My name is Zoe Jerajani, and I’m running to be on your class council! You may know me from the HOCO dance performance, my various club involvements, or girls’ soccer. In my free time, I love playing horror games with friends, watching sad romance films, eating, reading, and listening to music. In school, I enjoy collaborating with others, whether it’s working on projects, participating in events like Tinolympics and spirit week, or talking to new people. If elected, I’ll bring organization, motivation, and a fresh perspective to help shape our class’s future to its fullest potential!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My driving purpose for being on council is to enhance our class’s community and bring your voices and input to the forefront. With such a diverse class as ours, I want to create an inclusive space where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Whether it’s related to HOCO, class apparel, or other class activities, you deserve a say in these decisions. By actively listening and considering your voices, I aim to implement initiatives that reflect our collective interests and make our sophomore year truly unforgettable. For more details about my campaign, check out my Instagram @zz0e.j!
Kritika Kedlaya
Hey Tino!! My name is Kritika Kedlaya and I’m so excited to run for student council. With experience in debate since middle school, I am confident that I have the skills to run for council. I’m organized, dependable, and ready to take action—whether it’s planning fun events, addressing student concerns, or working with teachers and administrators to make real changes. In my free time, I will either be playing tennis, painting, singing, or hanging out with my friends. My goals for next year are to take student feedback and incorporate them to make the class of 28 more memorable. Check out @kritikakedlaya for more information!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
The driving purpose for me to be on council is to represent student voices. I believe that our school thrives being able to hear everyone’s voices. I want to bridge the gap between the student voices and the administrative body. Another reason why I want to be a part of the council is because I want to bring in new ideas and make other positive changes. For example, more fun class activities can be included, like making posters, face painting, etc. Bringing in more creative games and activities will help our school become more spirited. Overall, I want to make our high school experience one that none of us will forget!
Eugene Kim
Something I would like other students to know most about me is that even though I seem like not a very hard-working person, when it comes to my actions affecting others I always try to do my best no matter what. If what I did only affected myself negatively I wouldn't care too much, but if my actions affected others negatively I would try to make sure that it wouldn't. I'd be much more happier if other people were happy around me, rather than me just being happy by myself.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
The driving purpose for me to be on council is the connections I can make. If I were to get on council, I feel like I could meet so many new people, and also get a chance to get closer to the other people who are also on council. I like just knowing people exist, and I think council would be a good opportunity to know some more
Sarah Kim
Hey 2028!! I'm Sarah Kim, and I'm running to be on your Sophomore Council next year! Some things about me are that I love to paint my nails, crochet, and play brawl stars (add me). I always have food on hand (ex: cereal, fruit, chips), if you ever want some, feel free to ask! With my previous experience as treasurer, I believe that I have the skills necessary to be on council and will be sure to make next year great. Additionally, I want to create an environment where our class is encouraged to participate in school events and take student's feedback to improve future experiences. Make sure to check out @sarahkxm on IG for more info!!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My purpose to be on council is to hold events catered to our class and to make sure that every student's voice is heard. Understanding a student's wants and suggestions will increase engagement and will appeal to more people. Furthermore, I aim to maintain an environment where students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and participate in class events. With the events held, I will also ensure that all budgets are logical and will manage funds to make them possible. I understand that the role of a council member carries a heavy amount of responsibility and am more than ready to take on the opportunity of representing our class.
Catherine Lee
Hi everyone! I’m Catherine Lee, excited to be running for your 2028 council! Outside of school, I’ve been dancing competitively for 9+ years. Dancing has taught me many things such as teamwork, commitment, discipline, and perseverance, which have all greatly influenced who I am today. Although I wasn’t part of a traditional middle school experience, I immediately got along with people very well and I hope I continue to through this experience!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I decided to run for council because I want to get to know more people, and I hope to make everyone’s high school a fun experience! I want to make our school where everyone feels heard, included, and excited to be a part of. If I get everyone’s support, I’ll do my best to make our high school years even better!
Jinelle Lin
Hey Tino Class of 2028! My name is Jinelle Lin, and I’m excited to be running for your Class Council! Playing piano for over 10 years has taught me dedication, patience, and perseverance. These qualities shape everything I do, whether playing badminton, drawing, or supporting those around me. I love collaborating with others and am committed to making our high school experience the best it can be. A great class representative listens, takes action, and brings people together. That is exactly what I will do; I will work hard to ensure that every student feels heard, valued, and included. Let’s make next year unforgettable!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I believe high school is a journey we’re all taking together, and I want to make it meaningful for everyone. My goal is to improve our school through academic resources, mental health awareness, and opportunities to get involved. I want to bring people together, listen to ideas, and turn those ideas into actions. Whether it’s planning fun events, class bonding, or making sure every voice is heard, I am committed to helping our class grow. I’ll also strengthen communication between students and leadership so everyone feels represented. High school should be a place where everyone feels valued, and I want to work hard to make that happen.
Shrestha Nayak
Hey Class of 2028! I'm Shrestha Nayak, and I'm excited to run for your Class Council. I'm committed to using your inputs to carry out decisions that lead to YOUR success, while strengthening our whole CHS community. As someone who values having diverse experiences, no matter what you need me for, I’ll be there. With over 120+ volunteer hours, event planning and marketing initiative, Stock market portfolio investment, and 5+ years of Indian classical dance and flute, I bring a well-rounded perspective. If you want someone who understands and puts you first, make sure to vote Shrestha Nayak for 25-26 Class council. Shrestha leads, you succeed!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My driving purpose for being on class council is to ensure that every student’s perspective is heard and valued equally. I believe that a strong community is built on having diverse voices come together to execute plans. Also, I have taken multiple leadership roles outside of Cupertino High, but have not yet had the opportunity to do so within my school community. As this community is a big, integral part of my life, I would like to help shape and contribute to it. This position will allow me to advocate for my peers, and foster open communication. By being on council, I hope to bring fresh ideas and encourage a healthy school culture.
Michelle Nguyen
I am understanding and enthusiastic. People describe me as a fun and motivating person to be around, making them feel engaged. When having a group project or presentation, I value that each and every person gets a chance to speak up. I would say I am usually the one who thinks of creative and appealing ideas that can be the structure to support everyone else's. Organizing what each person wants to do, discovering their skills and hobby, I will encourage them to embrace it. When someone or I am wrong, I will respectfully understand the situation and let them know. I am greatly honest with what I say that builds trust and open communication.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I have a deep passion for helping others as I am the teacher assistant for Mr. Ellegood and I encourage his students to push themselves and achieve their goals. I also wish to make a positive impact on our school to allow everyone to get the highschool experience of fun, hope, and education as well as to improve the lives of those who are struggling. Additionally, I want everyone to be equal and have many opportunities such as fun activities, academics, clubs, and sports since each individual is unique in their own way. I hope for everyone to leave highschool with a big smile on their face, hopes and dreams achieved, and uplifted souls.
Leon Szwerinski
I believe that I have the experience to be able to help on the student council. I have been on council in 8th grade and am currently participating in council as a social manager. I am also willing to learn from my past mistakes. As only a freshman, I still have so much more in highschool to experience so I know that there's a lot I need to work on when it comes to my skills in not only council but my classes as well. I hope to be able to take my past experience along with the mistakes that come with it to allow me to perform my best.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I hope to take council as an opportunity to work with the rest of council to contribute something to my class while allowing myself to grow alongside all of the other council members. Joining the council again will only make me better at doing it and will further the quality work I can put forward for my class.
Zacchaeus Vaughn
Hi, I'm Zac, and I am currently a freshman at CHS. I enjoy drawing, painting, and eating food. I am currently on the CHS badminton team and am participating in winter percussion. I was also part of marching band during the fall.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I am really interested in participating in a leadership role at Cupertino High School. I have always enjoyed leadership and I strive to give back to the community that has already given so much to me. I admire the work that previous class councils have put into our school and I would also like to do the same. I also believe that this is a great learning opportunity to better develop my leadership and communication skills, as well as making me a more committed and responsible person. Overall, I really want to make CHS a better place where everyone feels like they are part of the community and are ready to thrive in a school setting.
Nirvaan Vira
Hi, I’m Nirvaan Vira, and I’m excited to run for the Class of 2028 Council! With 7+ years in dance, martial arts, and swimming, I’ve developed discipline, resilience, and collaboration skills. Dance taught me teamwork and creativity, while martial arts emphasized focus and respect. I’m passionate about balancing hard work with fun and using my experiences to be an effective leader. I love trying new foods, listening to music, and traveling. I’m eager to represent you all, make a positive impact, and bring energy to the council!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My main goal for joining the Class of 2028 Council is to make a positive impact on the class of 2028 school experience. I want to ensure that everyone's voice is heard, and work to create an environment where students feel valued and supported. I hope to bring new ideas to the council. I’m excited to help plan events and initiatives that bring us all together as a class. I’m committed to making our time in sophmore year memorable.
Angela Wang
Hi everyone! My name is Angela Wang, and I’m running for your 2028 council! Other than just school and academics, I do many activities in my own time as well! For example, I really enjoy volleyball because it allows me to work with a team to achieve a common goal. One thing I think is really important in life is forming meaningful connections with others. Whether we share common interests or completely different ones, I think there’s always something valuable we can learn from each other. I’m excited to see what we all accomplish this year. I’d love to connect with more people who share similar interests or introduce each other to new things.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I would like to be on council to positively contribute to our school's community. Another reason I would like to be on council again is the fact that I was on last year, which led me to want to continue on what I've learned this year, mostly about how the study body functions and runs.
Colin Wang
Hey Tino. I’m Colin and I’m running for your c.o. 28 council. Some may know me, and some may not, and that’s what this is for. With your help, I hope to represent you to the broader school and make everyone happy. I’ve participated in many council-related activities this year and am close friends with several council members. At school, I try to do my best but sometimes fall short because I struggle with procrastination, something I know many of you relate to. On another note, I run varsity Cross Country and Track and ski competitively (which is why you won’t see me next week). Regardless, I am going to campaign hard and wish for the best.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
If I am elected to council, my goal would be to improve the mental and social well-being of our class. As I’ve said, procrastination and my inability to focus in the most important moments (e.g. before deadlines) have affected my academic performance. I’m sure many of you feel the same and can agree that having friends around is a big focus booster when you aren’t talking about random stuff. In the future, this may be something we as a council could think about providing to our peers. Being social is also essential to growth, so organizing events and activities catered to everyone could bring our class together and make high school more fun.
Isabel Xiong
Hey 2028! I’m Isabel and I love food, especially Popeyes, Crumbl, Froyo, milk tea, and more. If there’s food in my vision, it’s disappearing. I’m also a book addict and have read 73 books in 2024. Activities I do include Varsity Public Forum Debate, tutoring middle schoolers in math and ESL, and Student Council President. I’m an avid Block Blast (94k high score), Word Hunt, and New York Times player. I love participating at Tino by cheering at rallies, helping out at dances, doing challenges, and yapping. Please come and yap to me :)
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
I joined Student Council because I wanted to be more involved at Tino. The feeling of cheering along at rallies, dancing at Homecoming, or playing games, knowing that I helped orchestrate this, is priceless. This year, I hope to create amazing memories that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. My ideas include Christmas Grams, where Council can surprise your friends, a Freshmen/Sophomore Dance, and movie nights with yummy treats (my fav!). I also want to help our class by creating an anonymous Q&A form, for questions and advice, and monthly stories about what Council has been working on, to keep you guys informed.
Irene Yang
Hey 2028! My name is Irene Yang, and I am running for your sophomore council! I am serving as your vice president currently. I enjoy participating in school wide events like rallies, and wish to raise class spirit this year. I also enjoy teaching others, as I have experience tutoring elementary students in math, coding, and English. In my free time, some of my interests are reading/watching horror books and movies, playing volleyball, and creating art!
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My goal this year is to have more class events so we can bond and raise class spirit. There should be movie nights, class hangs at parks or fun places, and summer bonding events so we can get together and become friendly with each other. I also want to host more events that allow student participation, like sports competitions among the class or performances. If I get on council, I hope for us as a class to grow closer and participate more!
Jayden Yip
Hi everyone! My name is Jayden, and I hope to on the class council. I am a loyal and responsible person, and I assure you if elected, I will do everything in my power to achieve my proposed goals and make Cupertino a better place.
What is the driving purpose for you to be on council?
My goal in joining student council is to make our school more enjoyable, engaging, and student-driven. I want to improve school activities by introducing new events and making rallies and dances more exciting. I also aim to implement new resources for students to voice their ideas, suggestions, and concerns, such as distributing physical suggestion boxes around campus and having a online space for discussions and polls. Additionally, I plan to make dances more affordable so all students can attend them without worrying about ticket prices. Vote for me to make Cupertino a school where everyone feels heard, involved, and proud to be a Pioneer!