Summit Academy – Parma’s new Student Council operates with a spirit of openness, diplomacy and altruism. In the same breath, the council is remarkably pragmatic and productive.
Already, the council has raised $600 alone through its Munch Mobile school snack cart, enough to fund transportation for a near-future field trip. Upon hearing this news at the council’s December 19 meeting, Acting Principal Alexandra Morris gave the students the green light to discuss three field trip options to present for voting by the school’s student body.
Facilitated by Adviser Jarret Sack, the student council operates as a first-period Community Service elective course.
“Students take the lead in organizing initiatives, completing community service projects and working toward earning their Community Service Seal for graduation,” explained Morris.
Through the council’s recent winter coat-hat-glove drive, not only were enough items collected for school families, but a surplus. The group decided to donate half of the items to a local shelter and to store the other half in a school closet for students and families to take as needed. In addition, the council recently launched a schoolwide food drive, collecting well over 100 cans, which were donated to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
“Student council has really impacted students by showing them they can achieve things and go out of the box and work for something,” explained Sack. “Showing students that they have a student council that can work together as a team gives those who may not have had a voice before a place where they can find their voice.”
The student council has an ambitious agenda. Projects completed or underway include spearheading a building-wide cleanup, writing personalized letters to local hospitalized children, reading books to elementary students, making weekly morning announcements, creating a structured Chromebook system, chaperoning elementary field trips, facilitating a Veterans Day breakfast, serving Thanksgiving meals to students and staff and creating a Santa Shop.
“I generally like helping people out,” said member Nevaeh Hudson, a sophomore who was recruited to the student council. Speaking on behalf of her fellow classmates during the council’s last meeting, Hudson asked if students – due to their positive track record of abiding by school rules — would be permitted to bring cell phones on a future field trip. Morris gave the motion her go-ahead.
Council President Alannah Bradley, a freshman, said the group provides a safe space for students to express their views and priorities. “I feel like it’s important to have students feel comfortable that other students are working with them so they can give their opinions and thoughts and also express how they feel,” she said.
Council member Dominic Seifer, a sophomore, shared a similar viewpoint. “My primary initiative is to make sure people are heard,” he said. “We can take the words of our peers and classmates and make sure everyone is heard.”
Morris said the school’s student council has played a vital role in bringing students closer together and making a profound impact this school year.
“Through their dedication and hard work, they have successfully implemented positive changes, from organizing school cleanup efforts to streamlining high school processes. Their efforts have also contributed to increasing school spirit and fostering a more connected and engaged student body. The student council’s ongoing commitment to improvement continues to create a more vibrant and collaborative school environment,” Morris said.
Morris said Parma’s student council has evolved from an after-school club to a dedicated group of high school students. Interested students are selected based on their behavior, academics and attendance.
“Through their involvement, students earn elective credit while gaining a voice in decision-making for the school and family events. This hands-on experience not only contributes to the school community but also empowers students to develop leadership skills and make a meaningful impact,” said Morris.