With the school year coming to an end, some take the opportunity to relive their favorite memories. Highlighted by school activities like spirit weeks, BOTC and homecoming, these experiences would not not be possible without Leadership and the class council.
Leadership and activities coordinator Vice Principal Sharon Freeman believes Leadership requires a lot of unseen work. Some students may not think of activities like “anything but a backpack” day as something important, but students work to make seemingly negligible days like those worthwhile.
Freeman believes that the work Leadership and school council accomplishes should be recognized by more students.
“It is a lot of work behind the scenes, and I know the people they (Leadership students) know know that,” Freeman said. “But the further ripples in the school, I hope they realize the work that goes into trying to rebuild the culture after COVID.”
Freeman believes Leadership creates activities that are an integral part of the high school experience. As well as being beneficial to students on campus, students such as current junior class publicist Dania Gizaw receives enjoyment from participating in Leadership as well.
“Leadership is something that I’m very passionate about, and I think that I can benefit the school. It helps benefit me because Leadership is a very social class,” Gizaw said. “Everyone builds each other up, and that’s something that I want to be a part of.”
There are many roles that a student can apply for when considering ASB and class council. Similar to current junior class spirit representative Xavier Trujeque, many feel Leadership offers a voice to students and helps unite the entire campus.
“Leadership is about representing all people, and it’s about being a voice for everyone,” Trujeque said. “I definitely feel like I’ve become more involved in the community.”
While some students may feel that Leadership or class council elections are based on popularity, both Gizaw and Truejue disagree. They feel that, while it may seem daunting, it is all about reaching out to people and connecting with others.
“I don’t think that popularity should discourage people as long as you’re motivated enough and you’re strategic about your campaign,” Gizaw said. “I don’t think that that would be an obstacle.”
Running for class council and ASB positions might be hard work for some, but Gizaw feels that the payoff is advantageous because of the many connections she has made. She believes ASB and class council representatives speak for students’ needs and desires for the school year.
“Most importantly, (we are here to) build other people up,” Gizaw said. “I think that that is all what Leadership is about is building everyone up in your class, or just the school in general.”
Freeman believes there is a large sense of community in and outside of Leadership and class council. She enjoys watching students put others before themselves in order to ensure a memorable high school experience for everyone.
“Watching that growth and watching students think outside of themselves because my big thing is why are we doing it and remembering that it’s for the greater good,” Freeman said. “(We) want what works best for the whole school community.”