Though he’s been involved in the Undergraduate Government of Boston College since his second year on the Heights, led initiatives calling on the University to act, headed student organizations on campus, and is now seeking the position of UGBC president, Czar Sepe, MCAS ’21, still hasn’t faced a bigger crowd than he did in his sophomore year of high school.

Sepe was running for treasurer of the New Jersey Association of Student Councils. The Parsippany, N.J. native gave his final campaign address in front of more than 1,000 delegates from high schools around the state with a creative slogan playing on his middle name: “Pepsi-Alexei.” The parallels he drew between himself and the soda—an appeal to his energy, consistency, and humor—ultimately won him the position, he said.

But now, with fellow UGBC senator Jack Bracher, MCAS ’22, as his running mate, Sepe is seeking the highest student-held office on campus—and he knows the campaign will need to touch on far more important issues than his affinity for Pepsi.