With over 1,500 students attending Hudson High School, there are many decisions to be made. Only the most dedicated students in each grade level are elected each year to make those decisions for the student body. Student Government (aka Stugov) is important because it allows students to have a voice in issues that affect them directly. This helps kids feel more connected and involved in their school and community. It also allows for students to have a sense of involvement in politics on a smaller scale before leaving high school. Because the individuals involved in student government are elected by their classmates and have to make important decisions on their behalf, it improves the leadership skills of the elected students as they fulfill a purpose bigger than themselves. Although many may know the students they elect, not all HHS students know what goes behind the scenes in Student Government.
Julia Meese, Gabi Censoprano and Laine Lewis are all individuals who were elected by their classmates to represent them. The three are dedicated to making Hudson High School better by participating in Student Government. From organizing almost every assembly and pep rally to making decisions about fundraisers, they each have a lot on their hands.
Censoprano currently plays an active role in Student Government. She is a Junior class Representative as well as a Family Group Leader for the Leadership Conference Planning Committee. As a participant in Stugov, it is important that each member has goals and aspirations that they hope to complete during their time serving on the council. “I hope to make pep rallys and spirit weeks more engaging and fun for the student body,” shared Censoprano. Currently, participation for Spirit Week and pep rallies is at an all-time low, with barely any students willing to participate. Censoprano hopes to fix this issue by making these events more fun so that all students want to participate.
Lewis is also actively serving as a Sophomore class Representative in Student Government and although so far she does not have any specific goals, overall she hopes to have a lasting impact on her school.
Being a member of Stugov is a big task that involves a lot of dedication and hard work. Classmates depend on Representatives to represent them and their interests by making a fun and welcoming school environment that teachers would not be able to create on their own. Even though this requires a lot of work, Censoprano chose to participate because she wants to make a lasting impact on her school and work with others to improve the experience for all who attend Hudson High School. Lewis chose to run because “I wanted to see the interworkings of the school and be a part of what helps everything run.” This is the same for Meese, who shared that she chose to participate because she wanted to make an impact on the school and increase school spirit and unity. The student body can be inspired by the hard-working ethic that these students have for their school and community.
There are many benefits to being involved in Student Government, but Censoprano says for her the most important things are, “Learning to collaborate with others and learning vital leadership skills for the future.” Also, Lewis says that being a part of Student Government allows you to see your ideas come to life and help the school at its core. Being a part of Stugov does not only provide personal benefits, but it’s also good for the community. Lewis says, “Stugov provides opportunities to meet new people and get service hours.”
The decisions made at the high school can impact all grade levels, parents and others who live in Hudson. Meese shared that the impacts of Stugov reach far beyond just our school. Some service opportunities, such as providing meals and giving gifts to underprivileged kids in town, happen outside of the high school. Additionally, for the blood drives at the school, blood is donated to people across the country.
Student Government is a great organization at the high school that all students should consider being involved in. According to these three current members, the impact of participating in Stugov expands beyond just attending the meetings. Members are provided with opportunities to be active members of the community and share their input on almost all school issues and policies. By being a part of Student Government, anyone can make an impact on both their school and their community.
