JHS senior Andrew Capranos shared some insights into his personality and student body office with the Jupiter Courier today. Here's what the 2008 Student Government Association President had to say.

Fun Facts

Favorite music groups: I like all music but mostly rap, hip hop and R&B.

Favorite activities to do on weekends: I love to hang out with my friends, relax and go to the beach.

Favorite thing about JHS: I love everything about it. The students, faculty and administration all work together so well. It truly is the best school in the area.

On Being President

Q. Can you catch us up on how you spent your summer?

A. I spent my summer how any SGA President would: By attending leadership summits, spending weeks preparing for homecoming and throwing in the odd vacation here and there.

Q. As President, you stated that you were heavily invested into increasing school spirit and encouraging enthusiasm toward JHS. What are your plans regarding this?

A. I plan on continuing the Class of the Year competition, as well as adding different ways to earn points for the students. I also plan on meeting with the administration to see about planning some different activities throughout the year. For example, a dance after a football game or a movie night on the football field.

Q. I know you attended the Florida American Legion's Boys State program in Tallahassee this summer. Congratulations on being selected. What was your experience like? And what noteworthy things did you learn that you plan on implementing at JHS?

FALBS is a week-long leadership development program that allows students to learn about the inner workings of the U.S.government system on a local, county and state level.

A. This was truly an experience of a lifetime, and I consider myself very lucky to have been able to attend this event. I was fortunate enough to be elected as a member of the house of representatives. It was truly a remarkable experience listening to, debating and passing legislation in the actual chambers that our legislator uses.

Q. As many students know, homecoming is one of the biggest events of the school year. Has your role organizing this changed since last year, now that you're President?

A. Yes, I am completely involved with every aspect of homecoming this year. As the Student Government Association president, you chair the homecoming dance committee. But it is also my responsibility to make sure that all homecoming committees are working together toward the goal of making this year's homecoming the best ever. This includes the dance, parade, carnival and alumni recognition committees.

Q. You're known for being very innovative in terms of projects and ideas. Anything new this year?

A. As I said earlier, I will be working very closely with Meghan Pickering, our new School Spirit Committee Chairperson. She has been busy all summer long, coming up with ideas about how to improve the school spirit at Jupiter High School. We have been working together to plan another school dance that would take place after a football game, but this is still in the planning stages.

Q. Could you tell us a few things about being in SGA that people might not know?

A. I think the biggest misconception that people have about SGA is that we do homecoming week, and then nothing else. This is completely untrue. We are the most active group on campus, and we work year-round to help make Jupiter High School a great place to be.

Q. What are some words of wisdom that you live by?

A. "Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself." My father told me that when I was younger. I try to live by this everyday, when delegating duties and responsibilities to my colleagues in SGA. I think it is really important to have respect for others and to never ask them to do something that you wouldn't do yourself.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A. I would just like to add that this year's homecoming is going to be the best one JHS has ever seen. I hope everyone is really excited for it, because myself--as well as the rest of SGA--has been working extremely hard the past few months.