INSTABILITY

ASB struggles with cancellations due to teacher turnover

Senior+president+Alex+Rebulton+has+been+a+part+of+the+Leadership+class+for+four+years.+He+has+had+three+ASB+advisors+in+the+past+four+years+along+with+several+substitutes.

Photo by Dellanira Alcauter

Senior president Alex Rebulton has been a part of the Leadership class for four years. He has had three ASB advisors in the past four years along with several substitutes.

The Associated Student Body at every school is known to be the leaders of the campus. These leaders plan all the fun activities like prom and rallies and other campus bondings.

The class here has had a hard time finding ways to lead. Just recently, the Sophomore Class had a “sweethearts” formal on schedule. They announced ticket sales on the bulletin and hung up big red posters on campus.

But every time someone tried to purchase a ticket, the booth was closed. “Account clerk Corene Lugo was out,” said Sophomore Class President Gabrielle Wallace. “And nobody else had the keys.”

In light of the constant rumors about why formal and rallies were cancelled, senior Tyron Blair said, “People think we don’t try, but we do. They just don’t know the full story.”

Sophomore Leslei Lopez says, “(The sub) is not an advisor, just a place filler, and we feel like (the school) is starting to give up on us.”

Over the past four years there have been three advisors. The most recent, Michelle Canfield, moved to another job in the middle of December, leaving the class with a series of substitutes.

Senior Kalani Moreno says, “It’s hard to get activities done without an advisor.”

There are two combination ASB and Leadership classes that take place during fourth and fifth period. Fourth period contains freshmen and sophomores while the juniors and seniors are placed in the fifth period. The current sub is the link between the two.

With the planning of school wide events, communication is a key trait that the two classes seem to lack without an advisor who knows the details. Plans get lost and things do not get done.

ASB is designed to thrive on leadership, initiative, and the ability to work together. Yet part of the problem has to do with student placement. Sophomore Alexis Villagomez said, “I was not (interviewed). I was put in the class. Interviews would be helpful because they wouldn’t let regular (not leaders) in.” This leaves the real leaders of the class with no assistance because of the people who are in the class for the “easy A,” according to Blair.

“If we had a set advisor as an adult figure and teacher, it would be easier,” Moreno said. “When we’re just kids, they don’t think we are mature and responsible enough. There are lots of people who don’t pull their own weight, but we try and try every day.”

“ASB this year has been… challenging since Canfield left,” Blair said. “ASB was a group effort.”

The only piece to the puzzle ASB seems to be missing is an advisor who is “into it,” according to Blair. He says, “If you really want to see a change and be a leader, be into it.”

In the past, when there was an appointed advisor, the class held successful events such as winter formal in 2012 and the neon nights night rally. Without an advisor, the class is not able to hold lunchtime activities and many other events.

Several students from the class say that ASB is plagued by many problems, including lack of organization, stability, and initiative.

However, the most common phrase that ASB students seem to say is “hopefully we get an advisor soon.”