In past years at Bethany Christian High School, the organization called Student Body Association (SBA) was in charge of planning social events for the school. However, this year the party planning group has evolved into the Student Government Association, or SGA. Here Sightline looks into what this change means for students.
Last year, Assistant Principal Tim Lehman decided that it would be beneficial for students to have more input into policies and procedures as they gain more freedoms. So he instigated the transition of SBA to SGA. Instead of organizing parties and tailgating at sporting events, Tim wanted SGA to be more policy and procedure oriented.
Primarily student led, members meet every week and are joined by Tim when the schedule allows. Seniors and SGA presidents Marie Bontrager and Abe Thorne work on their own, with occasional input from Tim, to create an agenda for each week’s meeting. These items are then discussed with the full members of the Student Government. At this point, it includes Katie Hurst (‘14), Joseph Mumaw (‘14), and Landon Weldy (‘15).
As SGA gets on its feet for the first time, co-president Abe Thorne says, “It’s slow getting on its feet because we have to establish what we are doing, but it will get going.” Student response to the organization has so far been positive. The Student Government feels good about the idea that members of the student body can come to their peers with ideas or questions, and then have members of SGA take these considerations to mind.
This invites another question: how much influence does the Student Government actually have? Only being the first year, the organization is still trying to establish their presence. However, working closely with Tim Lehman and as other students and faculty get used to having the Student Government’s input in issues, they are certain to establish themselves as a positive influence in the Bethany Community.
Students will be hearing from candidates in assembly, with voting taking place during lunch break this week.
~Katie Hurst