Surrounded by his fellow choir friends, Junior Neil Katta not only creates a positive environment in the classroom, but throughout the rest of the school.

Katta serves as the junior class president for the 2023-2024 school year. Originally from New Jersey, he has been growing in his involvement here at PHS through student council.

Running for president has been something Katta always wanted to do.

“I just didn’t really think I was popular or, like, I had enough confidence to do it,” Katta said. “I think it hit me somewhere in the middle of sophomore year that, ‘hey, maybe I have a shot.”

Katta said it was mainly self motivation that drove his decision to run for president.

“It was more of like a like, ‘hey, I really want to do this,'” Katta said. “So I took a shot.”

He described that the campaigning process was tough because it required him to step out of his comfort zone.

“It was a lot of putting myself out there, and talking to a lot of people that I didn’t really know that well,” Katta said. “I put up posters everywhere and stuff like that. And, you know, it was really weird for a long time because, when everyone knows your face at school, it’s hard to have a conversation that doesn’t have something to do with running for class president.”

The experience resulted in some negative reactions.

“I’ll be real,” Katta said. “You know, when you put yourself out there, you either get love or you get hate. A lot of people at the beginning told me, ‘you’re not going to win. I don’t think you campaigned enough.'”

Despite what those people said, others supported and stood by him.

“Thankfully, (I also) received a lot of love,” Katta said. “At the end of it, you know, a lot of people really came through for me and really helped me out.”

According to Katta, there are challenges that come with being president.

“I think, a lot of people overestimate how much power you really have,” Katta said. “There’s a lot that I would like to do, and, (for) a lot of it, I will have to go through a lot of obstacles to get (it) done. You know, I’m trying my best.”

One of his goals is to improve the junior class, as he said there has been “a period of change” due to the opening of Walnut Grove High School and new students coming in.

“I just really want to make it so that all the juniors have a good time,” Katta said. “(So) they’re not really fazed by all the changes that are coming to school.”

Junior Litesh Danesh, a friend of Katta’s, said he knows Katta will be “an amazing president” this year because of his unique leadership skills.

“Neil’s leadership as president is something that everyone should be eager about,” Danesh said. “He has significant leadership experience with HOSA and made HOSA a super fun experience for everyone. That alone will make him an amazing president.”

Danesh uplifts his friend and looks forward to what Katta will achieve throughout the year.

“He is one of the most kind and respectable people I have ever met,” Danesh said. “I’m glad to have met him and can’t wait to see what he does next for the future of PHS.”

Katta recognizes how his role as a leader has influenced others to want to do the same.

“I think what’s really amazing is how many people like have come up to me and they’re like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna run for class president too,'” Katta said. “Now I have a lot of competition, which maybe isn’t a good thing for me. But, you know, it’s really cool to see all the people that I’ve inspired to run for these types of things.”

Being class president has impacted him socially with other students.

“I get a lot of ‘Hello, Mr. President’s’ when I go around, and some people just call me ‘The President,’ which I think it’s kind of cringe, but it’s okay,” Katta said. “I talked to a lot of people, and like I said – a lot of people were inspired. I feel like by me running for president, that’s really the big factor of improvement into daily life.”

Along with being in student council, Katta participates in HOSA (Health Occupation Student Association), NHS and choir. He also plays football and the guitar and serves as a youth officer for a local charity. Being in student council has allowed him to be more connected and involved.

“I get to be at the forefront of everything,” Katta said. “So student registrations, freshmen pep rallies, like HoCo. I’m involved in a lot of that stuff, so it’s more busy. But, it’s also really cool to be involved with the school.”

Choir teacher Crystal Chamberlain shares how she sees Katta inspire his classmates.

“Neil inspires other students by being a great leader,” Chamberlain said. “He has a kind personality, and others really want to be around him and do what he does.”

Katta gives insight on his plans for next year regarding running again for president.

“I feel like if my time as a junior class president was very eventful, and if I can make a change as senior class president, I will,” Katta said. “For now, I think I probably will.”