This school year, Wakefield High School’s Student Council is determined to spark school spirit like never before. Guided by experienced leaders, all members are bringing fresh energy and creativity to the school. The council has been working to design inclusive events that appeal to all grade levels, ensuring no student feels left out of the Wakefield community. With school spirit and unity at the center of their goals, the Student Council is setting the stage for a truly memorable year.
This year’s main focus is student feedback. A new initiative introduced at the end of last semester was the use of polling. Over the following summer, council members used polls to receive information on preferred spirit days. Gaby McLoughlin, a senior, serves as the Executive Council Vice President. This is her third year on Student Council, granting her experience that allows her to make decisions with the entire student body in mind. She expresses her goal in advocating for all grade levels through her position.
“We want people to tell us what they want to see, because that’s our whole purpose: to represent everybody,” McLoughlin said.
The structure of the council has also seen some changes this year. Rather than having a small group lead plans, every role now has more room for contribution to activities. With this shift, McLoughlin finds that it has a positive impact, as it fuels better representation at Wakefield.
“Each general member gets to be involved in a bunch of different things, which widens the perspective because you’re hearing each student’s opinion,” McLoughlin said.
With an even split of 19 new members and 19 returning members, there is a balance of new ideas and experienced leadership. Additionally, student responses play directly into the council’s goal of inclusivity, helping them better address the needs of every grade. Senior Kayla Gicovi, who has been involved in Student Council since sixth grade, currently serves as a Student Coordinator. Together with her team, Gicovi has been working to highlight diversity as a way to strengthen inclusivity.
“We want to emphasize the diversity of the school through Student Council,” Gicovi said. “Something that has been brought up a lot is working with the different affinity clubs and seeing how we can support and promote them.”
Furthermore, the Student Council recognizes its responsibility as the voice of the Wakefield student body. Gicovi reflects on her motivation to serve the council through empathy while striving for equal involvement.
“I know what it felt like to be the freshman who wasn’t heard,” Gicovi said. “So I will always see that person and advocate for them.”
Another new initiative for this year includes the discussion of Wakefield Student Council joining the North Carolina Association of Student Councils. Elsie D’Alba, who serves as the Senior Vice President on the council, is one of the members spearheading this movement. D’Alba expresses the new opportunities and experience council members will gain once they join the state association.
“The importance of Wakefield joining Student Council at a state level is that it gives us the opportunity to go to conventions where we learn leadership and organizational skills from other students,” D’Alba said.
All in all, one thing is clear about the new council structure: through support and teamwork, they succeed. Whether a member needs to take charge or complete a task asked of them, the work is always completed in a timely and efficient manner. D’Alba explains the Student Council’s collaboration dynamic.
“Teamwork for us looks like knowing when to step up and be the head of your group and [knowing] when to step back and just be a worker bee, “ D’Alba said.
The individuality of each Student Council member is what primarily drives their efforts. With a broad perspective on all of Wakefield, the council can better understand students and shape activities that reflect their needs. Adviser Laura Stiles shares what dire qualities a member must bring to the team.
“We look for somebody who has enthusiasm and creativity,” Stiles said. “We want somebody who thinks outside the box and is not afraid to take chances and really advocate for what they want.”
While all the new initiatives are beneficial to the Wakefield community, it is important to reflect on the important lessons students learn during their time serving on Student Council. Stiles reflects on the growth she has seen from Student Council members over the past three years.
“It’s been inspiring to see some of these people who came in and weren’t sure if they belonged, or if they wanted to take on a leadership role. But when given the opportunity, they quickly rose to it,” Stiles said.
