You may have noticed signs of their presence around campus. Posters plaster the hallways and doors of various classrooms. They bear slogans such as “Every kid dreams of being president” and “You could be president” that encourage students to apply for leadership positions for next year. These banners are the work of the Associated Student Body.
Rosslyn Halekakis and Deborah Spector, the interim teachers in charge of ASB, have many exciting plans for the class. The new and improved student store, ASB officer elections, and Spirit Week are all examples of the activities being planned by ASB. Halekakis is especially excited about the student store. “In my 13 years of being here we’ve never had a store where you could buy school spirit stuff.”
The student store has recently been opened with all kinds of new school gear. There are sweatshirts and sweatpants, baseball caps boasting brown and gold, and, for all the summer lovers out there, flip flops. But Halekakis has even larger plans for the store. She wants to fill the store to the brim with all kinds of other Stagg themed supplies such as pen, pencils, notebooks, lanyards, water bottles, wristbands, tank tops, and, to stay toasty during the chilly winter months, scarves. But for Halekakis and Spector, the student store isn’t about money. “We’re not there to make profit; we’re there to make pride,” Halekakis said. The store is staffed by at least three ASB students during lunch. “It’s a part of our grade to work in the store,” said senior Diana Cuevas, an ASB student.
For these two teachers, ASB is about bolstering Stagg pride and getting students involved. While Halekakis has been concentrated on the pride part, Spector has been focusing on student involvement. According to Spector they are “trying to make sure students know what is happening and how to get involved.”
Besides the reopening of the student store, ASB has planned a cultural carnival for next month. Throughout the carnival, clubs will sell food and drinks. Another activity arranged by ASB is a Spirit Week, followed by an after school rally and dance. A couple of themes for Spirit Week include dressing like an “old person or little kid day” and “class color day.” Admittance to the after-school rally will be denied unless students are wearing their class colors.
After getting off to a bit of a rough start at the beginning of the year, ASB has gotten back on their feet. Thanks to the new teachers, they have plenty of plans to finish off the year strong. Both Halekakis and Spector are excited for the following years. “Stagg pride! Inside! You gotta feel it,” Halekakis said.
