Eleventh graders Sonya Selivonchik and Lev Novitsky, who are classmates in the IB program and are running against each other for president of the Council, posted their campaign platforms on the 5^th, 7^th and 9^th floors of the school for students to read.

“The students showed their trust in me last year, and I value that greatly,” says Sonya. “It was a good experience, as it taught me how important the Council’s work is for the school and how responsive our students are to the Council’s initiatives. The Council’s successful work has a positive impact not only on each of us but also on the school’s image as a whole.”

The key point in Sonya’s platform is student ratings. This is how she evaluates the effectiveness of a rating:

“Ratings had a good influence on students’ general development. Many students wanted to be at the top of the ratings list, which led them into new types of activities and brought them new knowledge.”

Sonya’s program also emphasizes volunteer activity, work in the school’s expanded Council, and support for ILS students participating in winter sports.

Here is how Sonya’s opponent, Lev Novitsky, presented himself to voters:

“I am a true 21^st century leader: active, willing to take the initiative, intense, positive, tolerant, honest, communicative, versatile, cheerful, fair and reliable. I am open to new ideas and to the world in general.”

One plus for Lev is his victory at the regional stage of the All-Russian competition “21^st century leader” in the category “Best idea for Primorsky Region” in 2018 and 2^nd place in 2020 in the “Leaders and heads of children’s and youth public organizations” of this same competition.

Lev’s program includes the following points:

1. Election of an initiation group for each class.
2. Development of an ILS volunteer movement and cooperation with the VGUES volunteer center.
3. Motiving and informing students about current academic olympiads.
4. Creating a “national universities” stand for grades 8-11 (for orientation).
5. Creating a “wishes and suggestions” box for ideas about how to improve school life.
6. Production of school souvenirs: t-shirts, caps, lapel pins.
7. Information about healthy lifestyles: brochures and posters.
8. Soft Skills development for students in grades 5-7.

“Elections to the school Student Council are an excellent opportunity for training soft skills,” notes ILS Principal Olga Shevchenko. “Candidates learn how to generate feasible ideas, while voters learn how to analyze the programs and personal qualities of those running for office. The ILS teachers’ team is always ready to support students and, when necessary, help them to implement their program initiatives.”