Timothy Martinez did all writing and interviews for this story. Jared Birks took all photos.

It’s a brand new year at WHSAD, and many changes are being made. After the pandemic turned our world upside down, things had to be put on hold, such as the student council. But after a long and exhausting two years, it is finally making a return to our school.

Since 2014, the student senate has been capable of many things, such as bringing the students and the administration together by holding meetings with the grades a few times a year so that the administration would hear what the students want the school to improve on. Also, the council helps students organize and plan events and class fundraisers so that students would find something fun to do. And, most importantly, the student senate is instrumental in raising the school spirit!

In order to become a senator, a student should want to focus on wanting to improve the school and raising the school spirit as well as wanting to be on track for graduation. Every single detail is important, and students should look to take full advantage of these benefits if they choose to be a senator.

AMELIA VELEZ (Senior)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I remembered when we first joined the school, the student council was an idea that many groups had. And, throughout our time at WHSAD, it became very apparent that a student council was needed because there hasn’t been that much transparency throughout all of the grades, so that was my main motivation to join.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

What I hope to achieve as a senator of the student council is more transparency throughout the grades, so that when we graduate, the grades will want to continue holding the Council.

3. What types of things do you discuss at meetings?

So, today will be our first main meeting, but what we’ve really discussed are the main fundamentals of what we are going to do during our time as senators, and mainly working our way through as time goes on.

K-SHIMA NOBLE (Senior)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I wanted to be a voice for our peers. I wanted to get myself involved in making WHSAD a healthier learning environment.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I want to aid in making decisions, mostly concerning the Senior activities like the Senior trip. I also wanted to help with fundraising for certain events coming up, like the Senior Prom.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I think that it’s a very good opportunity for teachers to hear the voices of students speaking their word, and making a name for themselves. It’s all about getting involved that’s important.

       JAIYANA WILEY (Freshman)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I’ve always been ambitious, so to know that I can make a change and do anything for this school, has really been a goal of mine.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I hope that I can make changes, not just for me and my peers, but for the school, and that’s appealing to me. Not all the time are we allowed to do what we want, but I want to reach for the stars, and help out this school in any way I can.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I think it’s very important to join the council because it gives you a voice. If you want something done, it’s best to say something, so you can be heard by others. It should matter that everyone has the chance to speak for themselves, because that is what fuels the student council to keep going.

       MATTHEW LOPEZ (Junior)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I just wanted to involve myself with the school. I want to help others have a voice and be heard.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I want to accomplish getting more people involved in wanting to help out the school.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I want more students to join our growing community so they can participate in helping to make WHSAD as comfortable as can be, and so they can partner with others to solve problems that the school may be facing.

       CARSON EVERETT (Junior)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

It gives me a great opportunity for college. Since I am a part of the council, this group will help give myself a good portfolio, and it would be easier for me to join a college that I am most interested in.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I want to help accomplish making a change, and making WHSAD a better place.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

They would have more of a say for what happens in this school, and I feel like that is very important for them.

       DALTON BROWN (Sophomore)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I felt like I wanted to make a change in the school. Not that there’s anything wrong with WHSAD, but I know there are changes waiting to be made that’ll make the students happy, and I feel like I can have that connection with others by helping out.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I’m mostly hoping to do the best that I can with providing for events that can attract as many people as possible because I know high school can be an awkward phase, and students sometimes don’t have a lot of school spirit, but I want to introduce a friendly vibe in the school.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I think they should join because, with a lot of ideas and collaboration coming in, I think that we’re at a point that we can come to an understanding on what improvements can be made for the school, and I am not opposed to forming something that could help make those changes. The more the merrier!

       KAYARA LODGE (Junior)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I wanted to help make events and programs for the students so that they would be able to find something to participate and have fun in. I want the school to be happy and organized.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I want to do my job and help out any way I can. I was given the opportunity to be a student senator, and I want the school to know that I am doing what is asked of me. I want to help make WHSAD a happier and healthier learning environment.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I want students to be reminded of how much this school has improved.

       CHRISTIAN SANTIAGO (Freshman)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I’ve had experience with student council before, so I knew that I would be perfect for what I was to expect in the future.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I want to voice my opinion on what the school should focus on improving, and I want to help others voice their own opinions and thoughts, too. They shouldn’t be afraid to stand up for themselves.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

If the school doesn’t feel that you’re voicing your opinion, they wouldn’t know what to change. Everyone’s voices will easily get the attention of the school, so students need to speak up for themselves.

       ALONZO JONES (Freshman)

1. What made you want to join the Student Council?

I’ve had experience of my own with student council, and I feel like I can benefit my peers from the experience I’ve had.

2. What are you hoping to accomplish as a Student Senator?

I’m hoping to accomplish helping students from my grade, and other grades, help voice their opinions on what steps the school should take to improve as a whole.

3. Why do you think students should join the Student Council?

I think it’s a good opportunity to be able to learn different social skills, as well as being able to manage and collaborate with other members of the school community as well as planning ahead for the future. Socialization is a big factor of the student council.