It’s the start of the year and once again we begin our weekly routines: dragging ourselves out of bed at 7 a.m. every morning and eagerly awaiting Wednesday’s collaboration schedule, where the much needed extra hour of sleep is granted. With shorter periods advisory also takes place after third period, where school-wide activities, such as voting, take place.

This year, following the same process as last year, will run a student senate program through advisory representatives. On August 16th, the student senate elections were run in each class and representatives were chosen. These reps, meeting on certain Wednesdays of each month, have group discussions based on events taking place and feedback they receive from students.

Opinion on the program is unanimous, with teachers and students alike showing lots of support.

I think it’s a great idea,” says Gaby Martinez, an elected Senate member. “It’s a really great way to help people from different classes organize and be heard.”

Advisory teacher Bernice DeWitte expresses her support for the program by saying, “I really like the idea of the senate. I think it will really help students learn some idea of leadership skills and how to become more responsible in high school.”

Some students, like Gianna Brocchini, are enthusiastic about their roles in the decisions being made for school events and express their excitement for having the opportunity to get involved.

“It’s a good idea for students like me who aren’t in leadership to be able to voice their opinions,” says Brocchini, the representative for her advisory.

The first meeting took place the following Wednesday. The first order of business was the Homecoming theme vote. Votes were put in through the Student Senate representatives after meeting with their classes, and the theme of Greek Gods was chosen.

Brocchini and Martinez both agree that the vote was pretty unanimous.

This year´s student senate has been given high expectations and even higher goals than the previous year, and it seems to be in everyone’s best hopes that the program will be a success.

“Everyone had the same idea,” Brocchini says, “I’m hoping it will be a success, and I think if we work hard, it will be.”