Arvada West High School senior Gianna Syzek is easily recognizable through her role in Student Council (StuCo) as student body president, as well as her contributions to theater. However, what does she have to say about her personal journey and experiences?

Student Council:

Though she wasn’t originally signed up, Syzek was dragged into StuCo by seniors her freshmen year. She explains, “This senior, Ella Jackson, she dragged me into  StuCo and she was like, ‘You need to join. Ask Mrs. Welsh if you can still join.’ So I went up to her, I was so scared because I thought she was terrifying … and then I switched into class.” 

Joining about two weeks into the year, Syzek was interviewed, enrolled, and tossed into the class under the guidance of her newfound friends. Over the last four years, Syzek states that “what [has] kept me there was the community… I don’t think I would have stayed in the student council if it wasn’t for the seniors in that group.” She specifically points out Micaela and Aubrey Delgado, class of 2022 graduates.

She recalls a prank the two graduates had played on her during her freshman year, where they told her during StuCo’s Retreat she would be locked up the whole trip. “Walking up to leave for retreat and go on the bus I was so scared,” she recalls. But, ultimately Syzek looks back on the prank as one of her fondest memories and a bonding moment between her and the rest of StuCo. 

After spending her freshman year in StuCo, Syzek decided to run for sophomore class president. Although she lost the election, she ran again to be junior class president the following year and won. Finally, she ran alongside Jack Harris for student body president her senior year and was elected. Throughout these successes and struggles, Syzek developed a motto that reflects her time in StuCo: “Do not be afraid to put yourself out there.”

Syzek expounds on the reputation that comes with being student body president, saying, “it’s kind of hard because it feels like you’re under a lot of pressure.”

Despite this, Syzek ran because she cares about her peers and wanted a chance to serve the community, and to represent the students of A-West: “I’ve had a lot of underclassmen in StuCo come up to me and they’ve been like ‘you’re such a good role model, I really enjoy being around you and working with you and I look up to you,’ and I think that’s where it makes it worth it.” 

Theatre:

Throughout her time at A-West, Syzek has been inspired by theatre director and StuCo advisor Lindsey Welsh. Welsh reflects on her time with Syzek and says, “At the beginning, she didn’t really know what she was getting herself into I think. But it didn’t take her very long.”

Outside of her time with StuCo, Welsh has gotten to know Syzek through A-West’s theatre company. Welsh reflects on her memories with Syzek, and recalls the long dance days and little moments they shared collaborating with one another saying. “There was nothing particularly like earth shattering about it… It was just a really one-on-one moment that I got to spend with her where we just laughed a lot,” Welsh recalls.

Syzek has been a part of the theatre company since her freshman year; she originally started on House Crew before working in Hair, Makeup, and Costumes, the latter of which she co-managed her senior year with fellow senior Natasha Doty.

Life after high school:   

 Syzek’s past at A-West has shaped her present, and as she reflects on her high school experience, she thinks of the lessons she has learned, noting that, “it’s not okay to change who you are for other people.” She finds importance in valuing your own identity above the judgement of others, and not letting that identity falter if outsiders question its worth. Syzek has found that acceptance, whether it is of others or of yourself, leads to growth, awareness, and compassion.

Syzek looks forward to majoring in business at University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as travelling the world. She is considering a variety of minors, including theater, arts, and agriculture. She is excited to apply her life skills and herself into the world.