For the first time in years, the Westminster Student Council is finding itself without an official sponsor.  Because Susie Pike, former sponsor, is no longer at Westminster,  Student Council is left without a labeled leader. The official position left is being replaced by a collaboration of teachers and administrators including Susie Brown, Director of Student Services, Diane Miller, Academic Hub Facilitator and Bookstore Manager, and Carla Meyer, Upper School Guidance Counselor.

Without the years of experience Pike brought to the table there is a greater need for the STUCO members to step up and lead.  Consequently, this is placing a greater role of responsibility on the students.  The council is working to do things without an individual sponsor’s assistance, and as a result, it is placing a greater emphasis on working together as a whole to get work done.  The Student Council is taking a greater stance in leadership in order to remain successful as a group.

“Our beautiful school has indeed grown, but as one might imagine, things are changing in how each grade’s representatives meet and make decisions.” said Carson Burke, junior.

Along with the new operating system in decisions comes a new change in structure as well.  Everything from a normal weekly meeting to the planning of major events is now being ran solely on the experience of returning members.

No longer are meetings primarily conducted by an adult leader, but instead by senior STUCO President, Greg Fleissner with guidance from Brown.  Fleissner now faces the challenges of leading a group of students and stirring up discussions.  The role of president is more important than ever before, and Fleissner is doing all he can to provide the guidance that is needed.

The ideas and voices of students are playing a bigger role than ever before.  “We are actively doing things and fighting for ideas with the students in mind.” said Burke.

The members of Student Council are working to serve the Westminster community as effectively as ever and adjust to the changes that they face.