Student Government Has Big Plans For The Year

At the end of each school year, students running for school council guarantee all sorts of things to catch voters' attention. But once in office, few fulfill their duties to students who faithfully supported them. How do we know that this group will carry out all that they promised?

Items on the top of the slate's priority list for this year are bike racks across the Jamesville-DeWitt High School campus, iPods in all study halls, more picnic tables, and the much-anticipated Slushy machine. The slate is also looking to make last year's well-attended Mr. JD competition a permanent event. Senior Katie Heil, co-president, believes all this is possible "as long as students are involved."

This year's slate members include seniors Shayna DeMari, Lamar Kearse and Katie Heil; juniors Austin Roney and Sarah Wood; and sophomore Jimmy Fazio. Social studies teacher Meghan McGee is their advisor.

To reach their goals, the slate is planning on selling pizza, gum and other snacks during lunch periods. They will also attend administration meetings to promote their ideas.

The slate has already accomplished getting hand sanitizers in every room in the school, and installed a second pump in the Mac Lab. Students are glad that the slate and the school are taking this extra step to look out for their health. "I think that it's great!" said junior Whitney Tracy. Students are hopeful that this will help prevent the spread of the seasonal flu virus in addition to the swine flu. "I'm a germaphobe, so I think it's quite gross when people sneeze and don't wash their hands," said freshman Morgan Pusey.

Overall, JDHS students think that this year's slate members are capable of handling the job. "They seem like they would be able to do stuff," said sophomore Gisselle Haynes. Will Sterriker, also a sophomore, thinks that they are good choices. Some students think that they could be doing more. "I haven't really seen that many changes so far," said junior David Schram.

Despite overall positive opinion, some students doubt that some of their projects will happen. "I don't think they'll do the Slushy machine because it's a little far-fetched and I don't think the administration would approve of it," said Haynes.
"The school's too health conscious," agreed Sterriker.

Nevertheless, the members are looking forward to beginning this year's projects. "We're more excited and involved [in our goals] this year," said co-president DeMari. For the past few years, she has been a member of the school senate. "[Being a part of the slate] looked like a good way to be involved in the school," she said. Heil was the director of communications for the slate in the 2008-2009 school year. Secretary Wood's motivation came from her willingness to be involved in the school and to get to know different people. "I wanted to be a part of the changes I wanted to see at JDHS," said vice-president Roney.

Still not convinced that these are students you can trust? "We want your ideas and your help," DeMari assures you. "Feel free to talk to us. It's not so much a student government effort, it's a student body effort," said Heil.

After all, that's what a democracy is for.