Zayden Ashraf (‘26) says that ASIJ’s students are the foundation of its success. In just his second year at ASIJ, he’s used his Class President experience from his former New Jersey school to become a Student Council (StuCo) Representative for the Class of 2026. His campaign is all about student life, and his presidential campaign goals reflect this. 

At the heart of Zayden’s campaign is a single primary goal: shifting the mindsets of ASIJ students under immense academic pressure. “When we have our events, I don’t want people to be worrying about the major they have later,” he proclaims. He wants all of the high school to be able to come together, live in the moment, and share school spirit, free from stress and anxiety. Zayden intends to create this change through his determination and self-efficacy. 

He recalls the 23-24 school year’s YUJO volleyball tournament, where he first observed just how spirited the ASIJ community can be. He believes that we’re letting this spirit slip away because of school stress, and he is committed to bringing back and sustaining the spirit he knows is possible. 

Through StuCo, Zayden is already working toward this goal. He’s played key roles during Class Comps and Selfie Knockout—two events that are valuable to student life at ASIJ. As President, Zayden would continue to advance such events to bring about a more spirited, enjoyable environment for students. 

Another goal of Zayden’s campaign is to reform recent student life changes that some consider controversial—for example, the recent club rotation change. As a member of NHS, SAFE, SASU, and Ambassadors, he says that his extracurriculars have provided him with the opportunity to connect with the student body. However, in Zayden’s own experience, the changes to club categorization and scheduling have hindered his ability to contribute to clubs he’s passionate about. He believes that fostering greater transparency with the student body when implementing these changes is crucial for strengthening the relationship between StuCo and the students it represents.

Additionally, he believes advisory needs to change. Zayden wants advisory to be a chance for students to come together, and he advocates for more bonding time within advisories rather than just lessons. By including more bonding activities, he’d be promoting a balance between education and fun. 

Zayden’s approach to StuCo would be two-pronged: a lot of fun and some fundamental adjustments. He is determined to attain his goals and believes that his achievements across ASIJ demonstrate his efficacy and resolve.