Student Council has been one of the primary clubs of SCHS, helping organize dances, spirit weeks, assemblies, and other events throughout the year. But after a period of inconsistent leadership and organization, StuCo began struggling to maintain the structure needed to keep those events running smoothly. In response, three teachers – Austin Forney, Kayla Gilmore, and Sadie Kosciuk – stepped in to help the group.
When asked what was the motivation for volunteering to help lead the organization, Forney explained that he had wanted to engage himself with other clubs and groups, and especially StuCo given that they are a major student circle.
“I thought it would be a good idea to get my feet wet in different areas besides baseball. I did Mu Alpha Theta this year, but I wanted to also work with StuCo in general, because that means hearing something that the student body has to say,” Forney explained.
Forney continued, explaining that his plans were primarily observational, and supportive of existing practices.
“It seems like they have a really good plan in place, and the StuCo members do a good job managing themselves, so I think my plan is to support them in any way I can as of now.”
Gilmore explained that she was initially opposed to assisting in the leadership of StuCo, as she saw it as enormous work that she could not fulfill, however reconsidered after further thought.
“I actually was approached by a student who is involved in Student Council, and they said that I would be good [leading StuCo], to which I politely declined. But I kind of had a thought in the back of my head, and thought of all the wonderful things that Student Council has done in the past couple of years, and I thought that we can’t let that go down – we have to keep building on what other people have done,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore stated that “we are hopeful that – because some of us are busy in the spring, and others in the fall – we can cover more ground and provide Student Council with consistent help.”
Kosciuk mentioned past membership with other student government bodies, calling upon that experience to help her in the leading of StuCo.
“I was in Student Council when I was in high school. I was able to be a part of that, and I was a part of the leadership council at Lindenwood, and then coming here I got to understand how Student Council works. But I do think this will be a new and interesting experience because I’ve never actually managed a Student Council before, so this is very different.”
Kosciuk added that “our goal isn’t to change anything that Student Council has been doing, but just help grow their group and make sure they have an impact on our school.”
