The service that students participate in during the year is truly the heart of the Washington Township student body. One organization in particular, Student Council, has been hard at work throughout the course of the 2017-2018 school year. Student Council at WT works mostly in their school while taking part in endeavors throughout the Washington Township/ Valparaiso Community.
The Washington Township Student Council includes members from grade levels 9-12; officer positions can be held after one year of participation in the club. Student Council practices leadership in school setting, the motto for the club is “Be a Voice, Not an Echo”.
What’s Going On: Recap on the Year
In the 2017-2018 school year, Washington Township’s STUCO redirected their focus. In previous years the club had been extremely active throughout their community, often partnering with the Washington Township Key Club; with that, the clubs found they were too similar therefore the question was proposed as to how to create a division between the two. Student Council came up the idea for Student Council to give back towards the Washington Township school more and the students, while still partaking in a few community service endeavors - whereas Key Club would solely focus on community service endeavors. With this, Student Council’s direction was refocused successfully, allowing for the club to have an accomplished year.
The first idea for giving back to the WT Students happened in August when the club created a fun, inviting atmosphere to welcome students back to school. The Student Council decorated the hallway in Hawaii themed decorations - fish, tiki masks, and bright colors were present; STUCO even had decorations on each student’s locker. With the decorations, Student Council had raffles with Hawaiian themed prizes then passed out candy to the students during their lunch hour.
With students responding well, Student Council kept up with the surprises during lunch. The officers designed a plan to follow - each month students would get a special treat at lunch themed to the particular month and what was going on; for instance, in December candy canes, in February conversation hearts, in March something green, and in May slushies/ or root beer floats to celebrate the beginning of summer.
Student Council also became a supporter of each grade level; grade levels 9-12 are expected to have fundraisers to help raise money for the expenses of their class. Student Council helped organize these fundraisers and got the word out about events taking place. Fundraisers the Student Council supported were October’s Spook Night and February’s Sweetheart Parent/Child Dance. With this, Student Council is also responsible for having a school wide Food Drive to make a donation to the local churches, who then distribute the food to organizations in need.
Student Council’s big event of the year is planning WT’s Homecoming. The Vice President is responsible for organizing a committee and from there coordinating the Dress Up Days, Banners, and Dance Theme.
The Washington Township Student Council has also been involved throughout the community. They have served in the Opportunity Enterprises Pack-a-Thon, packing thousands of packs for the Chicago Marathon, Manda’s Race, a Halloween themed 5K race, and Opportunity Enterprises' A Night to Shine, accompanying an OE participant to the prom. Washington Township also helps in their school community by volunteering to help at the Elementary school with after school tutoring and child watching while parents attend educational courses on new programs. The STUCO also helped in organizing and cleaning out the school’s shed filled with items from previous dances and productions put on by the Drama Department.
To be recognized as a Student Council member at the end of the year, members are expected to complete 14 hours of community service. Student Council gives students the opportunity to become more involved in their school and community along with providing students with fundamental principles they can carry on into their future endeavors of service and work. It gives students a greater perspective to the world around them. In high school it becomes very easy to get wrapped up in the gossip in the hallway or the stress of a big test in the four walls of a classroom - the world is much bigger than what students perceive it to be. Student Council gives students the opportunity to make a difference and to be heard.
Student Spotlight: The Officers
A select panel works tirelessly throughout the year, fine tuning all aspects alongside the advisors to reassure the Student Council Club can be as successful as possible; this panel is the Student Council Officers. Student Council Officer positions include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Parliamentarian. Given the chance to talk with some of the officers, they provided this NWI Student Article with the in’s and out’s of their positions, their favorite event they’ve participated in, and their take on this year’s council.
Sophomore Allanna Broadway is the Student Council Historian. Allanna is responsible for creating the council’s scrapbook which documents meeting notes and events that took place during the school year; this book is a requirement to obtain Honor Council Status. Allanna has been apart of STUCO since the 8th grade, giving her 3 years of experience.
Allanna said, "With my leadership position, I have learned about being responsible. In order to uphold this position, I have to be creative and have pages created for the book on a certain deadline.”
Allanna’s favorite event of the year by far was attending Rep Assembly with a few members from Student Council and advisors Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla. Her favorite memory from Rep Assembly is when Mrs. Rea was telling our council not to talk to her before she gets her coffee because she will be grumpy and Mrs. Walla said "and I have to share a room with her!" Times like these make Student Council memorable for students because they get to form authentic relationships with their teachers in intellectual settings.
Sophomore Katie Evans is the club’s Secretary; her tasks include writing notes, organizing the binder, and helping with attendance. Katie has been apart of STUCO since the 6th grade, with 4 years of experience.
With her leadership position, Katie said, “I have learned from this leadership position that by putting forth a little effort, you can make a huge change in your school. Our student council is an extraordinary club where students can come together and learn new skills, meet new people, and help our school and community.”
Katie enjoyed participating in the “Love & Logic” babysitting events this past school year. She said, “It was an amazing and fun opportunity to help watch and play around with some of our Elementary kids.”
Senior Madison Batthauer is the Student Council Treasurer; she is responsible for helping plan Spook Night, organize the Food Drive, and to organize making cards to celebrate WT Faculty Birthdays. Madison has been a member of the Student Council since the 3rd Grade, having 9 years of experience. She was an officer all throughout middle school, a regular member during her Freshmen and Sophomore year, and took on the leadership role of Historian in her Junior year.
With her leadership role, Madison said, “Student Council is a fun way to get to know others and show student leadership, all while helping out the school and community. I have learned how to collaboratively work alongside other officers. It is super fun working alongside Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla."
Picking her favorite event this year was hard for Madison, she said, “My favorite event this year was serving dinner at the homeless shelter, and the packathon! Oh and homecoming too!”
With graduation upon her and being a member of STUCO her entire academic career, this is definitely a bittersweet end to an amazing chapter for Madison.
Being an officer is a heavy responsibility and position requiring much dedication. The officers put in much time to reassure the council runs smoothly.
Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Rea & Mrs. Walla
The Student Council Advisors are Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla; both have been apart of the club for many years, dedicating their time as well as advising many councils and many groups of officers.
This year’s officers took the time to talk about Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla - describing the influence they have had on them along with their favorite memories.
Katie Evans said, “It is awesome working alongside Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla to see their dedication and effort towards this club. They are wonderful role models that inspire me to work and be the best person of my ability. My favorite memory with them and the other officers was going to Steak N' Shake in the summer and having a nice time talking and making jokes with them."
Continuing, Allanna Broadway said, “Working alongside Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla is such an amazing time. Both of our Council leaders are very supportive and are very fun to be around due to their happy personalities. They come up with such amazing trips for us and always know how to make something fun."
Lastly, Madison Batthauer said, “It is super fun working alongside Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla, my favorite memory is going on all of the field trips with them!”
Student Council is especially thankful for all of the hard work Mrs. Walla and Mrs. Rea have put in to making Student Council successful. Thank you Mrs. Rea and Mrs. Walla!
What’s Coming Up: Finishing & Recognition
With the school year coming to a close, Student Council will continue to serve in their school and community while wrapping things up. They members are working towards achieving all of their hours to be recognized as members. This school year has been very successful for the council.