Leading the Herd: New ASB officers aim to improve experiences for student body

The ASB officers for the 2023-24 school year are, from the left: Rex Watson, treasurer; Ashleigh Garlets, president; Ava Negranza, secretary; and Tyler Watkins, vice president. (Guadalupe Enriquez)

By GUADALUPE ENRIQUEZ 
The Tower 

The student leadership team for the 2023-24 school year is starting to come into focus.

Though the school has yet to vote on class officers, the Associated Student Body officers have been chosen. The ASB officers are president Ashleigh Garlets, vice president Tyler Watkins, secretary Ava Negranza, and treasurer Rex Watson.

Stephanie Hjelmstad, Manteca High’s Activities Director, is excited about this new team. Roughly 500 students — about a quarter of the school’s enrollment — cast their vote in the ASB election.

“I’m extremely excited for this upcoming school year. As always, the student body has made their selections and it is going to be a fun year,” Hjelmstad said. “I was glad we had students actually running against each other this year in two of the positions, which gave the student body an opportunity to have their voices heard.” 

While Negranza and Watson won by default, Garlets and Watkins had the opportunity to compete against other candidates and prove to the student body why they were the best options. The candidates’ speeches were filmed and produced by BuffaloTV, and then shown by teachers during class.

Garlets is excited to work alongside her peers while growing closer to one goal: Leading the Buffaloes. She decided to run specifically for ASB because it’s always been a dream of hers. 

“I grew up on this campus. My dad is a teacher and former coach here at Manteca High (Bradley Garlets), so my childhood consisted of eating lunch in the staff lounge, pushup competitions with the football boys, and attending all the event's Leadership put on,” she said. “When I was little, I couldn't wait to grow up and help plan these events.

“I can confidently say that the little girl that was once dreaming of growing up would be so proud of where I'm at now.” 

Watkins was inspired his older sister, current ASB president Kaiyah Little. He plans to build on the “foundation” she’s poured in a decorated career on campus.

Negranza is eager to develop her voice in a new position. Like the others, she’s a returning member of Hjelmstad’s Leadership class, and as the ASB secretary, Negranza believes she might have a little more say and influence.

“I feel like my past couple years in Leadership, I’ve been a little too shy and not as outspoken,” she said. “But this year I was able to really find my purpose in the class. I think I’m going to have a lot more to bring to the table next year.”  

Watson will follow in the footsteps of a good friend. Timothy Davis is the current ASB treasurer. In May, he’ll hand the reins to Watson, a junior with a baseball commitment to the University of San Diego. Watson credits Davis and Hjelmstad for preparing him for this next Leadership position.

“Timothy has been ASB treasurer for the past year, putting the idea in my head and ultimately solidifying my decision,” Watson said. “Hjelmstad has also been my support for the last three years pushing me to reach my goals.” 

All four winners have one goal in mind: To improve school spirit around and the general school experience.

“In the upcoming school year, I plan on encouraging school spirit around campus by providing fun, welcoming and all exclusive events,” Garlets said. “I want every student to have the high school experience they dreamed of; not look back and regret what they did or didn't do.”