Student Body Thoughts on Student Government

By Ehren Rolle

The Student Government Association (SGA) has been a fixture of student involvement at Pamlico County High School for decades. In recent years, any student who wanted to run for a position would only need to submit a campaign video to be shown on election day, and students would vote for the candidate with the video they liked most. This system worked just fine, but it took away some of the competitiveness, and often did not provide other students with adequate information on the goals of each candidate. Furthermore, SGA officers were rarely charged with any actual duties, aside from decorating around Christmas time and delivering a graduation speech (which was typically given by the senior class president). This meant that students weren’t able to have a say in the majority of school events. Homecoming, spirit week, and other activities that required planning were largely left to the school staff and administration. Students wanted a change, so this year, SGA underwent somewhat of a reconstruction.

Under the new advisor, Ms. Ferebee, candidates were required to get two teacher recommendations, approval from a parent or guardian, and create 4 campaign posters in order to run for an officer position. Those who ran for president or vice president were even required to deliver a campaign speech in front of the entire student body. These additions may initially seem like something that would discourage students from participating; however, the excitement around SGA was actually heightened. Candidates were motivated, thrilled at the prospect of being a real voice for their peers. Students became hopeful that this new student government could provide the representation they had been seeking.

Now, at the end of October, about a month post-election, candidates and students share their perspectives on the success of this revamped club.

Photo Credit: Lauren Ferebee

For students:

1. What did you think of the speeches that the SGA candidates gave during the election week?

2. Do you feel the candidates who won have stayed true to their campaigns, kept up with their promises? Do you believe they have given students more of a voice?

3. What has been the biggest change that you’ve seen SGA bring to our school?

4. How would you rate this year’s SGA involvement compared to previous years?

Wyatt Johnson:

1. ‘I think they were all very good, everyone spoke with such professionalism, and everyone was well prepared. I think overall everyone did really well.”

2. “I believe so. 
I don't think anyone hasn't kept up with their promises. So overall, yes. I see a big improvement, and I see them constantly engaging with their classes, through emails, and announcements, and all of that stuff.”

3. “I think it could improve. It already has improved. Spirit Week, for example. 
I think that was an improvement from last year. Also, I think they could just keep doing what they're doing, and by doing that, it'll just improve naturally.”

4. “A lot better. They do about 100 times more than last year. 
Last year, I really don't remember who won.”

Mia Littleton:

1. “I think they were really good. 
I think they were very informative. I think it's what people wanted to hear. They said, ‘How could you benefit?’ 
It was a lot of good information. It was very beneficial to the people, being like, ‘Oh, I want to vote this person, or I want to vote that person.’ 
I think everybody had in common that they really wanted to have some sort of change. And I think that was very positive.”

2. “Oh, absolutely. 
I think they were able to keep their word, and I think that's a really good thing, not only the people who were elected, but also the people that just want to help. I think that was a really good thing. They’ve stayed true to their word, and they've done all they can, and I think that's really good.”

3. “I think the homecoming this year was really good. 
I know they were gonna get rid of it, which I'm really glad they didn't, because I feel like that was such a big part, only the Spirit Week and, like, participating in it, but also the homecoming dance, because I think a lot of people really enjoyed it. I know I did.”

4. “From what I've heard, there's always such good improvement. I know it's always been really good, but it just continues to improve and keeps being positive. I think it's just a really good, like, environment just for, like, not only people that are being elective, but also people helping and also being, like, outside and being like, ‘What are these people gonna do?’ I don't think anything negative has come out of the whole group.”

Addi Nunley:

1. “I think they were all well put together, and everybody knew what they were going to say. They definitely allowed for the votes to be more equal because we weren't running off of popularity.”

2. “So far, yes. 
I think everybody has proved that they want to be in the spot that they're in.”

3. “There's a lot more student involvement and everybody's trying to do stuff and trying to stay true to what they said.”

4. “It's like ten times better. Last year, it was my freshman year, but there was nothing to do with the student government. 
Like, I think there were SGA meetings, but they were never held properly, and nobody said anything about them.”

Catherine Lackey:

1. “I thought that they were pretty good. 
I will say some people were more prepared than others. But overall, they were good.”

2. “I can only speak for like Moriah and Claire because they're the seniors, but I think they did. I know Moriah wanted to bring back school spirit, and that definitely happened. And they're a good team, they work well together. I really think that they did an amazing job of the Pep Rally, it would not have been the same without them emceing the whole thing.”

3. “Spirit Week and Homecoming Week. Like, that was the best homecoming I've had all of high school. 
There was a lot of participation, and the Spirit Wars were really fun. They wanted to bring more school spirit, and so they tried to do it through Homecoming week, and they succeeded.”

4. “10 out of 10, because other years, it was like nothing. 
So, I mean, it was night and day.”

It seems that the consesus amongst students is that the newly elected SGA is doing a great job. The overwhelming appreciation for SGA's leadership and organization of school events is certainly promising. Let's see how the officers plan to maintain this satisfaction from their peers.

For officers:

1. Many students have said SGA could improve our school by getting students more involved. How do you plan to make that happen?

2. How did you feel when you found out you won your position?

3. How has your role as ______ impacted you?

4. How would you rate this year’s SGA involvement compared to previous years?

Tre’Mhiya Arrington | Freshman Class President

1. “My plan to get more students involved in SGA is to advertise it more. Most students don't know anything about SGA because they never really hear about it. The more I talk about it, the more questions I'll get to answer about it, hoping more students become involved and interested.”

2. “When I found out I won freshman president, I was excited.”

3. “My presidential role has given me many opportunities to be in a leadership role. Also, to help and advocate for my peers.”

4. “I can't truly answer this question. It's my first year at the high school.”

Edgar Riano-Muro | Sophomore Class President

1. “We’re gonna try to do fundraisers, school fundraisers, and hopefully do things around the community to get our students' community service hours.”

2. “I was excited because I’d be able to be in a leadership position for my grade, but I wasn’t surprised because nobody had run against me.”

3. “Yes, it's definitely impacted me. And I feel like the vice president and I have done a lot since we started, like helping with the [homecoming] dance and helping during Spirit Week. We also won the Hallway War, so that was really good. We had to stay after school and put in a few hours of our own time, and come here and just work on it with other people.”

4. “We've done a lot more in the past month than we did all last year. 
So I think it's definitely a big improvement from last year's SGA.”

Brylea Hardison | Junior Class Vice President

1. “Continuing to take student requests and suggestions for things like spirit week and homecoming. As well as having more events that the student body wants to participate in, because I think it will bring us closer together.”

2. “Well, to be honest, I wasn't that shocked because I didn't have anyone running against me, but I was still very happy because I love being a part of the student government, and I was glad that I'm able to participate this year.”

3. “I definitely feel like I've been busier. For example, during Spirit Week, we were more involved. It's definitely encouraged me to socialize more and talk to people that I maybe wouldn't on a daily basis, and also to be a positive presence in the school and never bring anyone else down.”

4. “I would rate it an absolute 10 out of 10 because it has improved so much. I feel like having a student government involved with the students as well as the teachers is so important, and it has been such a great dynamic in our school this year. 
It's changed a lot of things, and I think that everyone is reacting positively to it, so I love it.”

Moriah Phillips | Senior Class/SGA President​

1. “I plan to improve our school by listening to my fellow classmates and taking their needs into consideration. I am an advocate for your wants and needs!”

2. ”When I found out I won my position, I was very happy and surprised! I didn't hang up any physical posters, and I wanted my campaign to be mostly based on my character and not popularity.”

3. “My role as SGA President has impacted me in so many great ways. I feel more connected to the people around me because they trust me to make a change for the better of our school.”

4. “I would rate this year's SGA involvement compared to previous years a 10/10. Hopefully, we can do even more in our school to help make it an even better place!”

Overall, it seems that SGA has brought positive change for both the officers and students at PCHS. We may only be a month into this student leadership endeavor, but so far it has been a success, and the future is bright!

If you have any questions or suggestions for our Student Government, leave a comment on this article or email a representative!