From creating amusing themes for spirit days to funding the most predominant school events, OHS culture would not be where it is today without student government (STUGO). As an elective offered to students, certain influential individuals who are devoted to making sure OHS is filled with spirit, are chosen every year to make their school a positive atmosphere.
“STUGO is the best organization if you ever want to be involved within the school. It is a combination of every aspect of this school, including fine arts, sports, and clubs. STUGO is a good accumulation of all of those things,” said John Zeng, vice president, senior.
To the casual eye, STUGO could come across as an elective where students only create posters advertising upcoming events and encouraging school spirit, but in reality, it is much more than that.
“Many people only see us on the front lines of football games or assemblies so a lot of people are surprised that what we do is a class and that we are working consistently,” said Tala Shammas, treasurer, senior
Months of discussing, drafting, and planning events can be a difficult challenge. From dealing with funding to finding venues, it can be an extremely extensive process.
“Putting on even the smallest events can be extremely tedious; it’s all very time-consuming, but we, or at least I, wouldn’t trade the final result for anything else,” said Jaya Amoako-Agyei, public relations, junior.
After exhausting days of repetitive school work, it is important that students have something fun to look forward to.
“The education system is extremely rigorous and draining, so if you come to school without things like spirit weeks and extracurricular activities to look forward to, I am a firm believer that you’re not going to do as well academically,” Shammas said.
Communication within the committees is what makes a successful school year. Besides creating a positive workplace within the classroom, students agree that STUGO has also created a space where friendships can be formed.
“I’ve met a lot of people along the way that I really have grown to love and I’m really grateful for the experience that has brought me to all these people,” Zeng said.
STUGO has proven to set many students up for success. After practicing leadership and organization skills all year long, the opportunities that are given through STUGO are endless.
“I am going to base my whole profession in my life off of it, I want to be a lawyer, I want to create roles, I want to enforce rules, and I want to create things for other people that are beautiful,” Shammas said.
Every year, upcoming freshmen are encouraged to run and take part in this program. Students create campaigns and then can either be voted in through popular vote, or by being interviewed by the student body.
“Joining Stugo has been the greatest decision I’ve made in high school, and I would encourage anybody and everybody to join,” Amoako-Agyei said.
These individuals are extremely important because they represent their classmates, and help voice everybody’s opinions while sharing their insight on important matters within OHS. Their input is an essential part of the decision-making process that our school board goes through.
“Every year we take creative people, every year we take people who look at things from a different perspective. When we do interviews we really look at who comes off as a creative mind. We really want to embrace those people because, at the end of the day, those are the people who are going to pique the interest of their classmates,” Shammas said.
Not only does this organization help OHS grow as a whole, but it also promotes students individuality and leadership skills.
“I attribute all my growth as a person truly to student government. Throughout my four years of high school, I think I’ve really built my foundation on leadership, perseverance, and communication skills. Those skills are all thanks to student government,” Zeng said.
Student government is an exceedingly resourceful association to build up interpersonal skills while in some of the most influential years of young adulthood.
“Student government has definitely been the highlight of my high school career; it’s been fun, and rewarding and it’s given me the opportunity to work on things I’m passionate about,” Zeng said.
