StuCo Proud: Freshman Class President Braxton Jeffrey creates a positive impact on his community through his passion for Student Council

During one of the first Student Council meetings of the year, senior and Student Body President Jack Kessler opened up the meeting for discussion like usual. The StuCo members were brainstorming a theme for the Homecoming dance, a discussion usually led by upperclassmen. According to Kessler, once he asked the group for their thoughts, he was surprised by what he saw next.

Instantly, Freshman Class President Braxton Jeffery’s hand shot up, eager to contribute.

“Being on StuCo, it’s very important that you’re actually representing your class that voted for you by sharing theme ideas and what you think needs to be done, so I appreciate his vocalness,” Kessler said.

Along with his contributions to morning meetings, Jeffrey has involved himself by taking the lead for planning the freshman Lancer Day float, spearheading discussions and activities in the KSHSAA StuCo conference while completing many behind-the-scenes tasks to help keep StuCo running. Constantly working on theme ideas and planning spirit weeks, he rarely has time for anything else. And he likes it that way.

Jeffrey’s passion for StuCo leadership is undeniable while he continues to make an impact on the communities he’s a part of through his active involvement in the organization. 

This passion first sprung in seventh grade when he ran for class representative, signing up just so he had an activity at school. 

“At first, it was kind of just something to do because I wasn’t really into sports, so I just thought, ‘Oh, I’ll try something new,’” Jeffrey said. 

He loved it instantly. 

“I like the leadership on StuCo because there’s a bunch of different people that I get to know now,” Jeffrey said.

As time went on, he leaned further into his role in middle school StuCo and spent more time at meetings talking to his peers on StuCo, wanting to know what his classmates wanted to change about the school. He put out polls and surveys over Instagram asking his classmates how much they liked their school and what changes they wanted to see. The results were startling — only 8% said they liked their school. He knew he needed to help.

“When I saw [the poll results,] I thought ‘Well, that concerns me a little bit,’” Jeffrey said. “So I talked to a bunch of people and heard their concerns, so I said ‘Let’s change that.’”

The following months, he organized several spirit weeks as well as securing students school-wide the privilege of eating in class — one of the main complaints he heard. Aside from this, his impact can be seen in the meticulous organization of every school event, down to the colorful posters. 

At East, he’s hoping to continue representing his classmates. After the conference, he heard ideas from other schools, like including student-based diversity groups and events like bonfires or movie nights on the football field, that he hopes to implement at East. Through these activities, he says he wants to unite the student body and educate them on less represented cultures.

“I kind of want to do something more diversity-related because there’s not a lot of that here, as East is [majority] white,” Jeffrey said. “So that, and also I want to do more spirit weeks, and school spirit stuff like that.”

Junior and Prom Committee Chair Ingrid Blacketer has spent a lot of time with Jeffrey, while having only served on StuCo with him for a few months. With Jeffrey being a freshman and not knowing the details of East, Blacketer is his go-to person if he has any questions during morning meetings or even helping him secure a trailer for the freshman Lancer Day float.

“He’s just a really great person to work with,” Blacketer said. “He’s always willing to help people and when Ms. Fishman will ask for volunteers, he will always volunteer to help out.”

Through all of their interactions, Blacketer is astounded with how approachable and friendly he is — two good indicators of future success on StuCo. 

“He’s a very outgoing person,” Blacketer said. “He never hesitates to say hi to people in the hallways. He’s not scared to be himself, and he’s just very personable as well. Overall, he’s a very helpful freshman president.”

Kessler and Blacketer say they are both glad to have such a strong freshman presence in StuCo and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes.

“I hope he continues to share and bring new ideas to StuCo throughout the year,” Kessler said. “I wish him the best of luck continuing to be personable and valuing relationships for the rest of the StuCo career.”

Despite what he ends up doing, Jeffrey wants to make a difference for the people who he cares about most — his classmates.

“I really like getting to know the people I work with,” Jeffrey said. “I think it’s just really special,”