Hi! My name is Carolyn, and I am the Chief Entertainment Officer for the Class of 2026. I have been on the student council for three years and have gained so much from my experience.

Being on the student council, I've realized the importance of striving to be worth knowing, not striving to be well known. High schoolers often believe that social status is everything in these four short years, when in reality, what matters most is how you treat others and having confidence in everything that you do.

My advice to those still in high school — and even to those long past it — is to be genuine, always be a little kinder than necessary, and never regret anything that made you smile. Why would you regret something that you once wanted?

 Mia Katane  ·  Officer

Hi everyone! I'm Mia Katane, a senior in the Class of 2026 at Bedford High School! As I reflect on my time here at BHS, the best advice I can give you is to step outside of your comfort zone when taking classes or joining clubs. It could change your life!

For the longest time, I thought I had my future figured out. I was set on becoming a marine biologist, and I didn't really see myself doing anything else. But during my junior year, I took IB Global Politics with Mrs. O'Connor, and everything changed. Something about that class just clicked for me and even inspired me to do new things, like Model UN. While the club was very different from what I was used to, I loved it right away. It inspired me. I started attending social justice seminars and interning for a political campaign.

That class and club didn't just teach me about politics and how the world works; they helped me figure out what I'm actually passionate about and where my strengths lie. If I had never tried something new, I would not be majoring in political science at Wake Forest University next year.

Looking back, the best parts of high school came from trying something new, even when it felt uncomfortable. So seriously, put yourself out there — you might end up finding something you love!

 

Hi guys! I'm Anna Tatakis, the Fundraising Coordinator for the Bedford High School Class of 2026 Student Council. I've had the honor of holding this position all four years of my high school career, and I wanted to take a moment to share a piece of advice.

High school goes by a lot faster than you think. It feels long when you're in it, but then suddenly you're at the end and wondering where the time went. It's easy to get caught up in grades and what comes next. That stuff does matter, but it's not everything. You don't get these four years back.

So work hard. Do what you need to do, but also let yourself enjoy it. Go to the games and spend time with your friends. Be present in the moment instead of always thinking about what's next. Before you know it, it's all over, and you'll wish you had slowed down just a little bit.

 

Hi! My name is Mary Suozzo, and I'm the Officer at Large for the Class of 2026 Student Council! My four years at BHS have flown by, and I'm so grateful for all the memories I've made.

If I could tell the underclassmen one thing, I'd say this: Embrace every opportunity that comes your way, and it's never too late to try something new. Whether it's joining a club, trying out for a sport, or hanging out with new people, these are the moments that define your high school experience.

I remember when I ran for student council my sophomore year — I was so nervous to talk in front of my whole class. Now I'm happy to say that being a part of the student council not only improved my leadership and communication skills, but also allowed me to surround myself with like-minded people who push me to grow. Honestly, it's been one of my favorite parts of high school. So don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone — you might find something you really enjoy!

I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the teachers who have supported us along the way. Thank you for shaping us into the people we are today. We couldn't have done it without you!

 

And one last thing... go dawgs!

 

 

I'm Nehemiah, and I've been fortunate enough to serve as the Community Senator for the Class of 2026. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to always try.

When I began high school, I was under the impression that the less effort I put in, the better. I envied those who could maintain perfect grades with what seemed like minimal effort. But I soon learned that the more I tried, struggled, and overcame, the more I learned from the situation. Whether that's joining a new club or taking a hard class, always take the path less traveled.

Don't just apply this to academics, either. This being my last year of high school, I decided to put in more effort for my friends. I'd go out of my way to make them feel appreciated, whether that's putting together flower arrangements for their birthdays or just giving a simple compliment here and there. Maintain healthy relationships with the people you care about, show them you care, and they'll do the same.

Life is too short to pass up opportunities. Always seize the moment. Tackle that new challenge, that new class, that new situation. Give it your all, and even if you fall short of the stars, you'll at least land on the moon.

 

Hi, I'm Matthew Benn, the senior class president for the Class of 2026. If there's one thing I've realized in this role, it's that high school isn't really about the big moments everyone talks about. It's the small ones you don't think about at the time; the random conversations in the halls, the last-minute plans, the simple act of living in the moment.

I think a lot of us spend too much time waiting for something bigger: waiting for senior year, waiting for things to change, waiting for that one moment. But the truth is, this is it. Before you know it, you're looking back on a time that was once all you knew.

To the underclassmen: enjoy where you are now. Don't worry about the future. Go to things. Talk to people you normally don't. Test yourself and do things outside your comfort zone. You don't get these years back, and they go by quicker than you think.

Being class president wasn't about having a title; it was about being part of this class and helping shape what these years looked like for all of us. I'm grateful I got to be a part of it.

 
 

Hi, my name is Chris Kidd, and I am the vice president of the student council. I've loved my time at Bedford and met so many great people.

My best memory is when Brody Helton stayed up until four in the morning teaching me complex arithmetic so I could pass my geometry test. I wouldn't be where I am today without Brody's help, and I'm forever thankful. Bedford has a great environment, and I would not trade my time here for anything.