Sibling rivalry is not something that the Capps siblings leave at home or in the car on their way to school. As members of Wando’s student council, Madeline and Bryce Capps both strive for success as they work together to create events and lift school spirit.
In the role of senior class president, Madeline has a large responsibility planning events such as semi-formal, the pledge at graduation, as well as working with other members of council on general congregations.
Yet, Madeline did not know she wanted to be a part of the student council when she first became a high school student. Her interest in joining student council sparked in the middle of her sophomore year when she was inspired by a friend.
“Isabella Turner, she was a student body president my sophomore year and we went to church together, and she just loved it. She started talking about it so I joined and it just sounded like the class seemed like a great environment,” Madeline said.
At home, Madeline was an inspiration to her little brother, as she would open up about her busy schedule regarding her responsibilities that come with being senior class president.
“I was always talking about it and going to all these events, and he wanted to be a part of it,” Madeline said.
Since Bryce is a freshman, he does not have the scheduled student council class as the upperclassman do, but that does not stop him from extending a helping hand when he can.
“He’s not in the class yet because he just got elected to council next year but he still pops in and he can help with the newer events that we have going on,” Madeline said.
As Madeline has gained years of experience in the council, she has grown not only in her position but her leadership skills. Now, she is able to pass down her knowledge and advice to her younger brother.
“It’s a big time commitment. It’s a lot of responsibility but I think it’s a good leadership position,” Madeline said. “I think he’s already a great leader and he’s gonna do good things for our school.”
As for Bryce, his plan for his student council career is to not only follow in his sister’s footsteps, but to rival against her high position and exceed past her status.
“I would like to kind of surpass her. When I’m a senior, I want to take a bit more of a step and maybe go for student body president,” Bryce said.
The inner workings of student council is based on one’s self-determination and commitment. Bryce currently has some limitations on his role as freshman class president, however, he proves himself to be very supportive and is a helpful hand to other members of council.
“Positions with the power varies on the person and how much they want to help out. So I could plan something for the whole freshman class, and just be there for everybody, but I can also just do nothing. But it’s not really the plan,” Bryce said.
Yet if it weren’t for his older sister’s interest in student council , Bryce would have never begun his ambitious journey at Wando.
“The main reason I was interested was because my sister, who’s senior class president, and I just wanted to follow it through and kind of use her as like a role model,” Bryce said.
Although student body vice president Joy Yingling does not get to interact with Bryce too often, she can already see his potential in succeeding his goals.
“It’s hard, because he’s not necessarily in the class like the rest of us are and since I’m a senior I won’t get to work with him that much. But from what I’ve seen, he seems really excited and I’m really excited for him moving forward,” Yingling said. “I think he’s really going to bring a new perspective into the class and I feel like he’s also very widely liked, so I feel like it’ll help get more people involved.”
Bryce and Madeline both set the standard of companionship for the school.
“I honestly think that they are the perfect sibling duo for student council because they get along so well,” Yingling said. “Madeline is a senior and he’s a freshman, so I feel like both of them working together will really help bring the school together.”
As Bryce will continue the rest of his high school years without Madeline, her impact will remain an inspiration for him as he makes his journey.
“She’s taken a big leadership role and I just want to be like her, taking a big leadership role and being a big part of the school,” Bryce said. “She’s always been an inspiration, the big sibling paving the way for me, she’s helped a lot with everything. Not just in high school.”
