On April 26, 2022, the class of 2023 chose Patrick Downing to be the next Senior Class President, with Owen Durkee accompanying Downing as the Senior Class Vice President. “PDowns,” as his followers call him, vigorously campaigned for the role, putting yard signs just outside of school property and using the power of social media to get his message across. He received endorsements from DJ Smoov, the famous DJ from last year’s Winter Formal, and from Kanye East, a TikTok persona. During his campaign, Downing made four main promises: better school dances, more Ready, Set, Relax days, having an unforgettable graduation speech and more student planned events. These promises propelled his mainly male fanbase to support him for the presidency.
Downing feels we are just getting started on what needs to change. “We are just putting on our seat belts,” and nothing has been enacted yet because it is just so early, but Downing has a “list of ideas and events that [I] want to put forth to the student body and the student government and see what they say.” He has to “narrow down which ones are unique and will have the most impact.”
From a personal standpoint, Downing is most looking forward to applying to college and seeing “what my future holds for me,” as he begins the process all seniors are starting to go through right now. Downing spent the summer in Boston, on campus at Harvard University, a college he would love to attend. From a president’s point of view, Downing states, “I just want to see my legacy carry on and see my legislation and ideas flourish throughout the school.”
Downing sees his role as senior class president as being “the voice of the people.” He invites his student body to come to him with any issues. “If people have an idea, you come to me. I am the one that can project it to everyone.” Downing believes he has the connections to be able to get things done in the school and he wants the student body to feel comfortable coming to him with any idea, issue, event, etc.
One of Downing’s promises was to bring back DJ Smoov for the dances. “I am going to be 100% honest with you guys, I’ve texted him a lot, and he isn’t giving great responses or not responding.” He goes on to say that DJ Smoov coming back to DJ one of our dances “is not looking as promising as it would have been back in April.” Downing later emphasized that he is trying his hardest to get DJ Smoov and will continue to try. As for the part of his agenda of having more Ready, Set, Relax days, Downing said that he talked to administration about the idea and he said that it “probably isn’t going to happen,” saying that he “can’t promise anything, as I said in my speech to the class back in April.” That may be confusing for some students that may have voted for him because the ideas above were part of his “crystal clear” agenda that he told his supporters.
In regards to the students that did not vote for Downing last April, he says that he is “the most controversial kid at the school” and that “you either love me or you hate me, and that’s the sad truth and if you can’t handle that then you can’t be at such a position like this.” Downing later goes on to say that he is “so above all of you,” talking about the “haters” and the students who didn’t vote for him. Downing made it clear that he does not care what you think of him and that he “doesn’t let things get to [him].”
Communication is vital, especially during senior year, from senior class presidents to the rest of the senior student body. Like junior class officers Alice Xu and Ana Berrios last year, Downing created an instagram account for communication. “It is @p_downsfopres23_official. That is the account where I goof around a little bit, but I plan on posting surveys and announcements just to get data from the students.” Downing said that he is open to DMs and would love to hear from the seniors about any ideas they have. Downing points out that students should also rely on the Student Government instagram page for more information.
The role of the senior class president, historically, has been to plan reunions after we graduate, keeping relationships and connections alive that were formed over years during high school. Despite previous statements, Downing made it clear that he will “plan and organize all the reunions in the future.” Going further, he said that he would “totally nominate people running for class presidents after I leave.” Downing hopes that his “legislation and ideas stay in the school, because once I’m out of here, I’m out of here.”
Downing’s lasting message to students at Hudson is to “join Student Government. I don’t think we nearly have enough people to where it’s impactful on students.” He later goes on to say that “Student Government has this rep of kids that are just trying to be involved in everything and they are a member of every single club and they play every single sport.” Downing wants to change that stereotype of Student Government members because students don’t realize the effect the organization has on the student body.” Currently, there are 10 representatives for each grade in Student Government, along with the Executive Board and class officers, but anyone can sit in on a meeting. Downing emphasized being more involved in the school community as a whole and “putting yourself out there and running for class officer positions.”
Another important lesson from President Downing? To publicize the elections. “No one publicized the election more than I did. No one had yard signs, no one had stickers, no one had hats, no one had shirts.” Downing sees it has a great benefit to the student body if more students are informed on the elections so that they are less likely to be influenced by other people.
It is clear, whether you love him or hate him, Patrick Downing is a character Hudson has never seen before. He takes his role seriously, knows the power and importance of senior class president and has many goals that he wants to accomplish during the next nine months of school. Needless to say, the 2022-2023 school year is a year we won’t forget.
