Scarlet Gitelson (SG): What’s been the most exciting part of the year so far?

Vivian Lee-Yee (VL): Definitely getting to work with Student Government and Green Club, because I’m a Green Club head, and I also am social chair. So getting to know all the people in Student Government and just being more involved in the community has been great. And also sports, because this is my first cross country season, so I’m getting more into running, which is nice.

SG: How’s the season going?

VL: It’s been going good. I’m definitely a little nervous because I have a race tomorrow, but it’s fun. I like the people a lot, and it’s good to just stay active, for me at least.

SG: What are you most excited to be doing with Student Government and Green Club this year?

VL: For Student Government, I’m definitely excited for Winter Ball and Homecoming and Prom—I’m excited for Prom because I’m a junior and so first Prom. Then, for Green Club, just getting more people involved, especially with the new service requirement. Hopefully, we can get more member attendance.

SG: As social chair, what goes into planning those events?

VL: We had our first, like, grade-rep-and-everybody meeting. So we just kind of started with Spirit Week. We already have the venue—I think Madisen planned that from last year. But a lot of it’s planning out decorations, themes, [and] logistics.

SG: Now that you’re officially a junior, what would be your biggest advice to someone entering Latin?

VL: My biggest advice is just to be able to move on quickly from small things that actually don’t matter. Because I know in my freshman year and in my sophomore year, I was definitely hung up [on] a lot of the social things and just small things that people would say. But at the end of the day, you need to focus on just doing well in school and making friendships and connections that will last throughout high school and throughout life.

SG: What areas of school are you most interested in academic-wise?

VL: I think I want to go into something STEM related. So maybe finance or marketing. I’m in finance right now, but I think marketing seems interesting because I like person-to-person [interactions].

SG: What interests you about that?

VL: I like branding, that’s cool to me. And also just looking at statistics, figuring out what’s right, how to make things the best they can be—that’s just interesting.

SG: What are you most proud of from your time at Latin?

VL: I think being able to be a bigger person and just coming out of my shell because, in the past, I’ve been really scared to talk to teachers [and] really scared to branch out. But I’ve learned at the end of the day, everybody’s really nervous, too. It’s high school for everybody. It’s basically everybody’s first day, every single day. And so just like, realizing everyone’s in the same boat, there are people who are more nervous and just saying hi and just being nice is so easy. I’m just proud of being able to just grow up and be more confident. And I’m also proud of the commitment I’ve put into Student Government. Obviously, I haven’t been there for that long, but I worked really hard to put my campaign together, and, so far, I’ve already done a lot of work. And then with Green Club, I’ve been in it since freshman year, so I’m proud.

SG: What drew you to campaigning for a social chair?

VL: I enjoy planning things; I think the dances were really fun—I looked forward to them in Middle School. And I just like decorating, and I like when other people have fun. And also, Madisen, she was my TA for one of my classes, and she’s just really cool. So I was like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool.’ But it’s different than just clubs because you’re able to actually affect how stuff happens at the school.

SG: Silly one to end, what’s your favorite thing from the kiosk?

VL: Probably like a cinnamon raisin bagel—which is kind of a hot take—or the mixed berry Steez or the red Vitamin Water.