Jason Wong: The Carpanatomy Interview

Aimee Zhang

Features

In his most in-depth interview yet, Jason recounts the rocky path to his double presidency and much, much more.

Jason Wong pops into the Facetime call at 10 PM in his Earl Haig Claude Watson Music sweater, awoken from his 50-minute power nap. “Is this going to be a serious interview?” he asks, and we begin.

As a high school senior, how are you dealing with the ambush of post-secondary applications and recent heartbreak?

This summer has been a coming-of-age moment. Yes, there has been heartbreak, moments of failure, and mental health struggles during this time, but I think what has gotten me through is reminding myself what my goals are, what I have been striving for all along, and how I am not letting [anything] stop me. And I listen to “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift.

Your online presence is pure, but followers do not see what goes on behind the scenes of your lively Instagram videos. How important is mental health to you?

I never really valued mental health before this summer. I always saw it as a pile of BS. When I saw those around me have breakdowns, I would think they were weak and unable to handle the pressure of growing up, but I never realized how volatile it was to be in a vulnerable space. There are times when you will experience these situations, and I felt this first hand. More than ever, I have made it a priority to put my health first. If that means I have to negotiate a deadline for my sanity or study two hours less to meet my friend, I need to do what I need to do to encourage a balanced lifestyle. I want to tell everyone that marks do not define who you are. Dig deeper into who you are before you are satisfied with who you become.

You have a mob of energetic followers. Is there anything you would like to say to them?

I'll be honest, I really don't understand the hype. I go to school every day to go to school, but I am glad there is a piece of me you find attractive and I hope I am able to inspire you every day.

With so many loyal fans who bow down to you (literally) and see you as a star, you have been placed under a microscope. What do you say to those who are critical of you?

I think the reason why people are placed under a microscope, especially in my position, is because the higher you go, the more haters will arise. I believe there is not much I can do with that. All I can tell myself is to keep going. My advice for anyone with similar adversity of "coming for your name and brand" is to continue doing what you do and not let someone get in your way.

You have introduced many new initiatives, such as the popular Tiktok Tuesday, that have connected the student body to SAC. Why did you decide to realize such visions?

Social media posts? To me, the power of this generation is our ability to connect through social media… We have something so accessible in means of looking at it in our hands. TikTok Tuesday was spontaneous, and so were many of my initiatives. The initiatives I come up with, that some may consider insane, are inspired by those around me. Everyone inspires me. Many of these ideas come up to me on the top of my head. It can start by walking the hall and seeing what people are doing and getting a quick flash of the brilliance of visions. I guess Tiktok Tuesday was one of those that pushed me forward to find a more connected student body.

What are some SAC project teasers?

We are really excited to announce that we are amping up student spirit, like usual. SOPSS, the Student Organization Promoting School Spirit, is always looking for ways to incorporate the arts into every aspect of Earl Haig, even in athletics. We are looking at ways to make games more exciting because our games have been dying. I’m proud to announce we will be starting a cheerleading team as a multi-year initiative, and this year we’ll be looking for a dance team. In the future, hopefully a team with uniforms, full acrobatics, and a marching band. We will also be having stand-up comedy and dramatic plays at our games. It’s always fun to have a little humour amidst these times.

What do you anticipate for the future of SAC?

Well, I mean, it would make the most sense for me to wish that any future SAC will be prosperous. I really can’t see what is going to happen when I am gone because it is going to be up to them what they are going to want to do. But I hope that I have left Student Council in good hands and in a good place, so they can continue my work in making school a fun place to go to every day.

Do you have any advice for future SAC presidents?

Be you. I know it is so stupid, and you probably hear this every day, but I think I got to where I am, being able to do this twice, because I have stuck through myself and I did not let anyone tell me about myself to change me. I didn't let anyone change me as a person. Yeah, some people might see me as a silly, goofy, crazy person, but I think what people value most, and what people are frankly scared of, is being confident in who you are… It is such a powerful skill.

I’ve known you since Grade 9 thanks to Junior Council, and we even ran against each other for Junior Mayor. I know that you experienced chaos in your first year in SAC. How has it changed you, and what advice do you have for those fearing turbulence?

There is a lot that goes behind the scenes, you’re right. You have seen a lot of it go down. There were many struggles in my first year when I came into the scene in Grade 10. I didn’t expect chaos coming into student politics when I was elected, especially since friends could turn so quickly. I learned to separate my friendships outside the workplace from what I was doing in the office. Unfortunately, in my first month as Junior Mayor, I was almost impeached. I think it was a wake-up call for my terms as president. Not only should I have to watch my back, but I also need to be in touch with what I’m doing with a greater sense of responsibility. It was a valuable moment for me, as much as it was heartbreaking and challenging to handle as a Grade 10 student. It was a moment that shaped me into the person I am today.

Last question. Are you single?

Yes.