By: Advika Anand and Lydia Liu

Graphics Editor and Public Relations Manager

As she begins her second year of high school, sophomore Anna Tomchenko steps into her role as sophomore class president, ready to strengthen her community and ensure her class succeeds. Tomchenko strives to be a well-balanced and communicative president, taking her peers’ opinions into account when making decisions.

In her position, Tomchenko takes pride in representing her peers and making sure every voice is heard. She describes her leadership style as “collaborative and organized,” seeking to create an environment where ideas can be shared openly and efficiently. From planning fundraisers to organizing school spirit events, she approaches each task with enthusiasm and care. “I want to make sure our class feels connected and supported,” she said. Whether coordinating with the Student Council or leading class meetings, Tomchenko stays focused on building unity and helping her classmates stay engaged in school life.

Balancing leadership responsibilities with a demanding schedule is not an easy task, but Tomchenko manages it through dedication and time management. This year, she is taking AP European History, Pre-Calculus Honors, Leadership, Chemistry, English 10 Honors, and French 2, courses that challenge her both academically and personally. “In the beginning, it was really stressful,” she admitted. “It’s a huge jump from freshman year, but I’ve adjusted by updating my study habits and reaching out to friends for help.” Despite the workload, her favorite classes are English 10 Honors and AP European History for their creativity and discussions. Tomchenko remarked with a smile, “I’m definitely more of an English-oriented girl.” She believes these subjects fit her interests and prepare her for a future career in business by strengthening her critical thinking and communication skills.

Tomchenko’s passion for business led her to co-found Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), a new LGHS club focused on entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance. “DECA is a national organization where many schools have this club,” she explained. “We go to local competitions and work on improving our business and entrepreneurship skills.” Tomchenko started the club to give students with similar interests a place to grow and connect. Tomchenko commented, “As class president, I want to establish community. I think DECA is a great way to do that.”  Although this is the club’s first year, she already has big plans for its future. She hopes DECA will attend more competitions and eventually reach the national level, leaving a strong foundation for future students to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Balancing leadership, academics, and extracurriculars, Tomchenko continues to demonstrate determination throughout her time at LGHS. As she looks ahead to the rest of her sophomore year, she hopes to strengthen her class community by creating fundraisers that reflect what students actually want to support. With her commitment to inclusivity, Tomchenko strives to be a dedicated leader through the connections she builds during high school.