According to the Student Council sponsor Kim Oliver, elections for STUCO representatives are held “either during lunch or during a specified class period.” Officers, however, go through a different elections process that takes place in the spring.
“Elections are not always needed,” she said of the election process for representatives. “After completing an application, a student is placed on the ballot for their grade level. Students vote for those on their grade level.”
Ms. Oliver explained that the “need for election” is determined by the number of spots open and the number of applications received. According to Ms. Oliver, 30-40 students have expressed interest in becoming a part of Student Council.
“[We are] not sure about this year,” she said.
“We haven’t had an election in the past two years,” said STUCO president Liz Larsen, who was selected during the spring semester of 2012.
In order to be a STUCO officer, another application process must be completed and the applicant must be a senior. The officers are chosen by Ms. Oliver and the principal, Dr. Danny Brackett, according to Larsen.
“I was nervous for my interview,” said Larsen. “You had to want it and be a good leader for the student body as a whole.”
For the officer positions, good leadership and communication skills are necessary. The members chosen for officers are the people that genuinely are about making the school a better place, Larsen explained.
While STUCO’s purpose is to unify the student body, senior Alex Stillwell is frustrated with the process.
“I’m in the class and the teacher who decides isn’t. It’s like America electing the Prime Minister of Great Britain. The president needs to have a balanced number of AP courses, be involved in some type of athletic group, and be well-liked by a diverse population of the school.”
“Student Council doesn’t do anything,” said senior Joe Burns. “So it doesn’t matter if we get to vote or not.”
STUCO involvement in the school includes a mentoring program at Smith Elementary, participation with the Miracle League, setting up the Homecoming dances, and involvement in school spirit and the student section. They also work to put together the Teacher Appreciation Day, and Sophomore Orientation, but some students haven’t noticed the Student Council’s impact on the school.
Likewise, some students think the process should be changed.
“If I could change it, there would be a vote like every other school does it,” said Stillwell.
Administration and student leaders decided that campaigning for the elections would not be allowed due to unfair advantages regarding social status and economical class. No guidelines or manuals have been written to outline the rules and regulations for the addition of new STUCO members, according to Larsen.
“There’s not an official campaign. No speeches and no debates,” said Larsen.” There’s not time to take students out of class and not enough student interest.”
“It’s in an effort to allow everyone equal opportunity to serve on Student Council,” said Ms. Oliver.
For this year, the process will remain the same as the process in the past. The officers and members of the STUCO do not see a problem with how the application process is carried out as it is.
“We write a one-page essay for the application,” said STUCO secretary Brianna Gates. “You don’t just get in. Ms. Oliver reviews it, and asks teachers if you’re a good student.”
A lot of thought goes into the students selected for the Student Council in order to get the best group to be able to impact the school. STUCO members work together in representing and reaching out to the student body with encouragement, according to Ms. Oliver.
“I’m alright with the system,” said Larsen. “I think the people who care and want to help are doing that.”