The bell rang, the loud voices started to fill an empty room , the Student council was planning their next big hit!
The group meets weekly to discuss their ideas for making their community more connected. The reason many people join the club is that they want to share their ideas with larger groups while encouraging school spirit. Michelle Abeja, a Senior at West Leyden and student council president, talks about her experience joining the club.
Michelle smiles as she continues further into the reason she joined the club. Abeja says as she looks around the room, “ I really wanted to have my voice heard because I feel like it would benefit more people if they had a student’s perspective.”
This club is about connecting our community, and it also helps students build connections with students around them, including upperclassmen.
Zahara Lavallie, a group member, adds as she is busy preparing for the next event, “ I also have lots of fun because we can do this together, and it feels good to be able to help people. “
If you would like to learn more about the club, Mrs. Gomez, a teacher at West Leyden and the Student Council sponsor, says confidently, “So we’re responsible for a lot of like, bigger school events and help bring student voice to our school community.”
Student council members learn ways to involve themselves around the school and, most importantly, throughout the community. It helps students learn to be helpful to others and put themselves out there to benefit the people around them. According to Student Council member Zahara Lavallie, “Student Council helps drive passion, and helps people to get out of their shells. It really is a good opportunity to be selfless and help others.”
As they said early on, they were the group that hosted the bigger events at Leyden, but one in particular caught people’s attention. “Many students look forward to this event that happens before spring break, ” Gomez says. “I think Junior Olympics is always a fun one, because the students are so excited and involved in that, and just like dressing up and participating in games against each other. “
Despite being involved in other clubs and activities around the school, students are still encouraged to attend and remain committed to the Student Council. Student Council President Michelle Abeja says, “You don’t have to be loyal to the club. You just have to show that you care, you know, and that you’re gonna make a future sacrifice or future commitment.”
Mark your calendars! Student council meets every Monday, 2:40-3:10
