In a classroom at RHS' Livingston Campus, 40 students gathered in person and online to hear officers campaign for positions in RHS' Student Council. All the speeches were met with applause and each candidate supported their opposition, because they know they'll have an impact on the student body no matter what role they're in.
All grade levels from 9-12 were represented for the offices which range from President and Vice President to Marketing and Blood Drive Chair. Griffin, a senior, is as new as the freshmen, having joined Student Council this year specifically to work on the Blood Drive.
"It's a real-world problem that we can offer a solution to," he said about the Blood Drive. "Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. We can have an immediate impact."
Led by Mr. Sorenson and Ms. Jago, Student Council works with the Board of Education to implement programs for all high school students. Everything from Homecoming themes to expanding offerings at the Winter Carnival are born from collaboration between students, their advisors and members of the Board.
"We want to interact with the student body and let them know that school is a safe space," said Caitlin, who is running for Student Council President. "We want to create bonds and bridge the gap between the two high school campuses."
Inclusiveness goes beyond the high school. Mr. Sorenson explained that the next step is building relationships with the students in middle school. "Each middle level building has a student council," he said. "We are visiting the Waggoner Campus to create excitement and educate them about how student council impacts all students. Then next year, we would like to involve the elementary schools."
Officers will be elected on October 26, a Blood Drive will be held in November and the popular Winter Carnival will be held December 9 at the Livingston Campus from 5p-7:30pm.