Meet Your State Officers

Rachel Yee
Rancocas Valley Regional HS

"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is
there already."- John Buchan

Hello New Jersey! I am truly honored to serve as your 2012 NJASC President. Wow, I can hardly contain my enthusiasm about this upcoming year! Currently, I reside in Eastampton Township and attend Rancocas Valley Regional High School, home of the RV Red Devils.

My passion for leadership transcends beyond just student council, as I strive to take initiative in all aspects of my life. As a firm believer in the motto, "See a need, fill a need," I helped to start the Rancocas Valley's Action for Africa Club, along with other students passionate about raising awareness about Africa, which aims to inform, impact, and inspire youth about current issues occurring in Africa. Despite RV not having a fencing team, I successfully petitioned to represent RV in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association fencing championships this year. As part of Model UN, I helped to formulate potential solutions to actual international problems to improve current conditions. I also joined the leadership team at my youth group and RVs' Fellowship of Christian Athletes to help uplift others.

My experiences as overall Student Council President and Class Vice-President have helped to prepare me for my most significant responsibility yet, leading as the president of NJASC! My vision is to help students realize and develop their potential to serve as leaders, just as the student council has done for me. As your President, I will dedicate myself to fostering a passion for student council throughout middle and high schools across New Jersey. I would like to give a special shoutout to everyone who has inspired me and lent a helping hand along the way. I couldn't have done it without you! I look forward to working with our team of dedicated 2012 state officers and advisors to help make an impact for all students in our Great Garden State.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at president12@njasc.org.

Teresa Campbell
Shore Regional HS

"A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves" - Eleanor Roosevelt 

Hey everyone! I'm Teresa Campbell and I am both honored and ecstatic to be involved with the NJASC this upcoming year as your Vice President! I am looking forward to every adventure that we will undergo on this journey ahead of us. I wish to bring unity to the board this year, and I already know that together we will be able to accomplish all of our goals! Becoming a part of something this spectacular has been a dream of mine since my first LTC experience and I am so excited to begin!

At my school, Shore Regional High School, I am very involved in activities both in school and after school that have allowed me to enhance my leadership skills. I have been an active member of student councils since third grade and I am also involved in many clubs such as the honor society, math league, book club, and interact which include community services. I hope to bring everything I have learned from the experiences in these clubs and activities to share with you all!

Student Council and leadership altogether has always been a major aspect of my life. I love meeting new people and being able to share ideas with everyone! I would like to think of myself as an outgoing and optimistic person, and I know I will bring that to our board! I would like to thank my friends, family, and student council advisor, for encouraging me and having pride in everything I do both as a student council member and as a person. Thank you all for making this magnificent experience possible and I love you all so much!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at vicepres12@njasc.org.

Erica Rubin
Cherokee HS

“A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Hi New Jersey! My name is Erica Rubin and I am extremely honored and thrilled to be your NJASC Secretary for 2012. Currently, I am a junior at Cherokee High School.  When I was first given the opportunity, in fifth grade, to become a part of Student Council, I thought it would be a great way to help make a difference in my school and have fun in the process. Little did I know that Student Council would later become a huge part of my life. Student Council is my passion and I could not be happier. I don’t just love serving my school and community, it’s who I am as a person. Currently, I hold the position of Cherokee’s Student Council Secretary and I have held various other leadership positions in the past.

Between my school and my community, I am involved of a variety of different activities.  I participate in Cherokee’s Student Council, the Renaissance Club, National Honors Society, Field Hockey and Golf Team and many other clubs. I also am involved with my synagogue, and volunteering with many charities. I am a diligent student and work to the best of my ability on my academics.

My family, friends and school are a vital part in my life and they have helped me become the person I am today. I want to thank them for all their help and support along the way. I love them and I know my accomplishments would be nothing without them! I can't wait to experience the opportunities and responsibilities that come with being elected as Secretary of NJASC!  

Always feel free to contact me at secretary12@njasc.org.  

Franshesca Castoria
Southern Regional HS

“The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way.” - Henry Miller

Hello, New Jersey! My name is Franshesca Castoria and I’m so excited to be your 2012 NJASC Treasurer. This is a big honor for me and I will surely not disappoint you. I’m currently a junior at Southern Regional High School. I’m a optimistic person and I always look at the ups in life, never the downs. I’m a person who can just be randomly laughing out of nowhere, or when someone tells a joke, I’ll be that girl that will be laughing for 5 minutes.

For me, being treasurer is just the continuation of learning, leading and helping others. I had been in Student Council since Middle School. And I had been treasurer for Middle School Student Council in 8th grade, Class of 2013 in 9th grade, and I’m currently treasurer for my school’s student council this year. After going to LTC (best thing ever!!!) and meeting so many new people and faces, it made me realize, I want to do more and help them get their voice out to the state. So I decided to run for to be a State Officer, and I’m thankful for everyone who helped me get here.

Other than being treasurer I am in my school’s Interact club, Spanish club, DECA, and Class of 2013. I also play Tennis, Basketball, Lacrosse, I love to dance, and I’m a black belt at karate.

I would also like to thank my family, friends, my school’s student council (Frantastic campaign team), and my advisor, for the support they have given me to be able to achieve this amazing position. And look out New Jersey, Fran Castoria is here and I’m ready to take this year as Treasurer and make the best of it!

Griffin Muli
Shawnee HS

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery." - James Joyce

Hello, fellow leaders! Iam Griffin Muli, the 2012 Executive Member in charge of Special Projects! I can’t wait to jump into this new position with the same passion I bring to all of my other activities! In school, I am the student council corresponding secretary, a varsity negative on the Shawnee debate team, a member of blue crew, our school spirit group, and on the wrestling team. Academically, I am on the honor role and in three honors classes. Outside of school I am a part of the local youth group that helps the needy in our community. Also, in the wrestling off-season, I do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I love having a packed schedule, and I operate best when I am multi-tasking! To each of these activities, I bring my sense of humor, energy, and enthusiasm, and I plan to do the same for my state office position.

I am very excited to have such a unique opportunity as being a state officer, and I would like to extend my thanks to my homeroom, my student council advisor, Mr. Bozarth, and my family. With my fellow officers, I can't wait to make this year something special!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me! I can be reached at projects12@njasc.org or on Facebook!

Jacob Davies
Seneca HS

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams

Ready? It is time to dream, learn, do, and take action during this new year. My name is Jake Davies, and I am anticipating a year of exploring the unknown and dreaming extensively about what we can accomplish during our new appointments as NJASC Executive Board. Being elected was definitely one of my life's ambitions come true. My desire is to inspire people to imagine their future and accomplish their dreams in order to better our state.

I am currently a sophomore at Seneca high school and treasurer of the student council. Upon entering high school, I wanted to be involved with student council. I have loved the opportunities it has given me to participate in planning events and helping provide leadership. One major event involved  collecting school supplies for Joplin, Missouri,which was destroyed by the tornadoes last May.

Beyond student council I am an active participant in school sports as a JV wrestler and Varsity doubles tennis player. I have also joined the JROTC Air Force program to prepare myself for joining the Air Force and serve our country as a pilot. Outside of school, I am an active member of my church. I serve in many children's ministries and participate in our youth group, which involves community service and outreach activities. Above everything, I love to do activities with my family. I have appreciated their love, support, and encouragement. I do not believe I could have achieved this dream of being a state officer without them.

Please feel free to contact me at review12@njasc.org.

Patrick Bryson
Holy Cross HS

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Harold R. McAlindon

Hello New Jersey! I am Patrick Bryson, your new Executive Member of State Charities and I'm so excited to be in this position. I am known for being outgoing and very friendly. I think that you should be friends with everyone and you can bring joy to each person. I am a 16-year-old junior at Holy Cross High School. I am currently the 2nd vice president of our school's student council and was a class ambassador last year. I love doing great things in Student Council, accomplishing tasks and putting in the hard work it calls for. I really enjoy the interaction with others and the friendships it creates.

My favorite part of high school, other than Student Council, is our varsity soccer team. I have a passion for soccer and I like the great times I have with my friends and teammates. Also I am apart of the Interact Club at our school, which is a community service club. The projects and charity events we do are great, its a fun time with your friends, but a big help to others as well. When I'm not in school I like to play sports and games, workout, hangout with my friends and family.

I would like to thank my friends, family, and advisors for helping me through this process to get to where I am. They were a huge support through each part of this road. You guys are the best, I hope I make you all very proud! I am very excited to meet new people and make new friends, I'm so thrilled for this year. Let's go!

Feel free to contact me at charity12@njasc.org. Thank You!

Kenny Patrone
Washington Township HS

"Do something today, that the world will talk of hereafter." - anonymous

What’s up, New Jersey? My name is Kenny Patrone; I am from Washington Township High School.  I am more than happy to become your State Board of Education Representative! I’m honored to partake in the role of becoming the Voice of the Students of New Jersey.   According to the NJASC Constitution, my duty will be to act as “the official voice of the students of New Jersey as a non-voting member of the State Board of Education at their monthly meetings.”  I’m more than ready to take on the huge responsibility to make our schools and students successfully work together with the Board of Education.  I will not stop until I voice your thoughts and concerns to the State Board of Education.

Ever since I was in elementary school, Student Council was my calling. I was a member of Student Council since 3rd grade, and became President in 5th grade.  When I reached High school I was one of 5 students selected onto the Student Council Executive Board out of 653 incoming freshman.  Ever since my first conference I wanted to be a part of the state board!  Making a difference is what I was born to do, and I try to accomplish anything I set my mind to. 

Other than Student Council, I help coach my schools field hockey team, and I also play street hockey and soccer.  My biggest sporting accomplishment is being a member on the US National Jr. Men’s Olympic Field Hockey team.  This has given me unique opportunities to experience challenging obstacles that have turned into life lessons.  With my knowledge and experience I will lead us into the future, resulting in nothing less than excellence for all students of New Jersey.

If you have any questions, please contact me at stateboe12@njasc.org.

Parnika Puri
Melvin H. Kreps MS

“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” - John C. Maxwell

Hi, New Jersey! My name is Parnika Puri and I am thrilled to be your 2012 Middle Level Representative! I attend Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, where I am involved in many after school clubs, including Student Council, which has been a passion of mine since the age of nine when I first joined as a class rep. Over the past years student council has shaped me into the leader I am today! I am also an active member in my community; I am part of HindiUsa, a nonprofit organization that teaches those who are interested in learning Hindi as a foreign language.

If I could say one thing to developing leaders it would be to never give up. Becoming Middle Level Representative was a goal of mine since last year, and with much hard work and determination I accomplished my goal! Never say Never!

Attending LTC (if you haven’t gone yet, take my word for it and go!) was the best experience of my student council career so far! I met so many new people and still keep in touch with them today! Yet the best part of LTC is probably the fact that there are hundreds of leaders coming together and sharing their ideas!

I can’t wait to begin my term as Middle Level Representative! I hope to meet everyone at the Fall and Winter conferences, Great Adventure, LTC and other NJASC events! Also, I wish good luck to my fellow newly elected executive board members and look forward to working with them over the upcoming year! Thanks to my family, Student Council, advisors, and my Vice Principal. Without all these people I couldn’t be the leader I am today!

Please feel free to contact me at midlevel12@njasc.org.

North

• Jeffrey Hunt - 8th Grade, Brooklawn Middle School
• Jackie Rozell - Sophomore, Parsippany Hills High School
• Angelica Suarez - Senior, Parsippany Hills High School
• Colby Thomas - Sophomore, Parsippany Hills High School

South

• Nick Cannizzaro - Senior, Palmyra High School
• Jen Smith - Senior, Palmyra High School
• Aly Sperock - Senior, Palmyra High School
• Ryan Butler - Senior, Palmyra High School