Student council making changes for the better

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Sixth-grader Chloe Youtsey wanted to make improvements to her school here -- more school spirit, more extra-curricular activities and better lunches. Like many teens, she enlisted the help of her friends and held an impromptu meeting under a gazebo during lunch break. The result ... the Incirlik Middle School Student Council was born. 

"She really was the spark," said Henrietta Reddick, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Incirlik and a co-advisor for the student council. "She was the spark that led to a council that is determined to make some changes." 

Since the lunch meeting during the first quarter of school, the middle school classes (grades six, seven and eight) have enlisted two teacher advisors; nominated, campaigned and held elections; met with school administrators on a monthly basis; raised funds for the council; and even had a one-on-one meeting with Col. "Tip" Stinnette, 39th Air Base Wing commander. The 22-member council consists of five board members (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian), three teacher/council liaisons and multiple representatives from each class. 

"Even though we're one combined school, it seems like we're separated right now," said seventh-grader Mackenzie Altizer, secretary for the council. "We want to bring the schools (elementary, middle and high schools) together and build a community. We really want to increase school spirit." 

Currently, only high school students are allowed to participate in organized sports and attend and plan school pep rallys. The council is hoping to change that, or at least find a way to merge that spirit, said Ann Rauscher, a sixth-grade teacher and co-advisor for the council. 

"Increasing school spirit is their primary goal right now," Ms. Rauscher said. "Everyone -- teachers, administrators and students -- is still making adjustments to becoming a unit school, one school, and I think the middle schoolers felt like they needed a voice. They are a good group of students and I think they're going to create a more cohesive school." 

During a recent lunch meeting with Colonel Stinnette, the board members for the council definitely used their voices. Before meeting with the wing commander, the council polled their fellow classmates to determine the most important issues to discuss during the 30-minute chat. These included improving the school lunches, building a sports program, changing the bus schedule and holding more social activities. 

"He listened to everything we said and actually made some of the changes we asked for," said seventh-grader Ashley Hanson, president of the student council. "We've already got Anthony's Pizza back for lunch and a bigger fruit selection in the cafeteria."
Earlier in the year, Anthony's Pizza was replaced with a healthier alternative pizza that was less appealing to the taste buds. 

"The students weren't pleased with the taste of the new pizza, and we just wanted more of a variety in the cafeteria," said Ashley. 

The council also asked for the school bus to run longer hours for students who stayed after school for extra-curricular activities. Colonel Stinnette explained to the council that he believed that money spent to run the shuttle longer would be better spent for things such as the new go-cart track being built; and the council agreed. 

"We just think the school could open more opportunities for the students and help make it a better stay at Incirlik. We would like to have the same opportunities that students Stateside have," said Ashley. 

Since elections in November, the council has sold candy grams, held a bake sale, crafted a middle school scrapbook, and is currently planning their first social. They also plan to petition school administrators to be allowed to participate in pep rallys held by the high school students. Their leadership also prompted a group of elementary students to build their own council. The 12-member elementary council led by Ladye Daniels, the pre-K to fifth-grade school counselor, is currently looking for ways to spend money they have raised. 

"They're looking at possibly painting a hopscotch board or a world map that we could use to play educational games," said Ms. Daniels. "Our council has different needs, but at the same time they had some of the same concerns as the middle school students, such as the lunches and the extra-curricular activities." 

Ms. Rauscher believes the council is not only good for students, but teachers and administrators as well. 

"This council is really forcing the entire Incirlik team to think outside the box," she said. "The school still has some little growing pains that need to be fixed before next year, and the students are really helping us come up with the solutions." 

"We just want to make the school better and a little more fun for everyone," said Mackenzie. 

Parents or Incirlik community members interested in advising extra-curricular clubs for the students should contact a student council member or advisor at the school.