Every senior wants a year to remember, but behind the activities, fundraisers and graduation plans are the leaders making it all happen: the Senior Class Cabinet.
Seniors Hugo Hernandez Lara, Yazlin Lopez and Ava Yang, along with their adviser, English teacher Courtney Runge, spoke about their experiences in the senior class cabinet.
What is the senior class cabinet?
Hernandez Lara: A group of seniors who get to plan activities such as Senior Sunrise and prom.
Yang: Senior class cabinet is a selected group of seniors who plan fun events and work on important senior projects such as prom, spirit week and keeping the seniors in check.
Lopez: A group of seniors who get together to help create an enjoyable experience for everyone’s senior year.
Runge: Senior class cabinet is comprised of senior students who plan events for the senior class. This group represents the senior class, so to be eligible, members must have good attendance, be on track for graduation and earn passing grades in all their classes.
What does the senior class cabinet do?
Hernandez Lara: Seniors get together and plan out activities they think others would enjoy. They also plan fundraisers and help make the year fun.
Yang: The senior class cabinet meets and plans activities that seniors would want to participate in.
Lopez: We help plan activities like prom, Senior Sunrise and lots of other fun events.
Runge: Senior class cabinet plans activities that will bring the senior class together. They also may be asked to make decisions on behalf of the entire class.
What is your purpose in the senior class cabinet?
Hernandez Lara: My purpose is to make our last year at South as fun and memorable as possible.
Yang: My purpose is to make my senior year and others’ fun and memorable. I also want to show that seniors can have fun in school even with all the stress we face.
Lopez: To make everyone’s senior year exciting and memorable.
Runge: My purpose is to help facilitate the activities the students want to host. I don’t do the planning — I just help make it happen.
What would make this senior class cabinet stand out or be successful?
Hernandez Lara: High participation in activities will make this year stand out because it shows that our senior class showed up and cared about the events.
Runge: We’re most successful when all members work together to plan events. The more we can do for the senior class, the better.
What are your expectations for the senior class cabinet this school year?
Hernandez Lara: That we bring in different ideas and get remembered as the senior class.
Yang: My expectations are to create new, innovative activities for seniors to participate in and to work together as a team to plan and organize events.
Lopez: To show up to meetings and share opinions and ideas.
Runge: My expectations are that members show up, work together, respect one another’s opinions and do their best to create the best environment for their class.
Why did you want to be part of the senior class cabinet?
Hernandez Lara: I wanted to have a voice in what our class gets to do. I also wanted to include perspectives from different parts of the senior class.
Yang: I wanted to share my ideas and put my leadership skills to use. I also wanted everyone’s input and new ideas to make a fun senior year.
Lopez: I wanted to help others — and myself — have a memorable senior year.
Runge: I stepped into this role because the teacher I replaced previously led it. That said, I love getting to work with students in a nonacademic way and helping bring their ideas to life.
What would you tell any junior interested in joining?
Hernandez Lara: Go for it, because you get to have a big input on senior activities and leave your mark on your senior year.
Yang: Don’t be afraid to take action on your ideas. It may take time and effort, but it’s worth it. Not everyone will agree with your idea or activity, but if you want it, pursue it.
Lopez: Join because it’s fun to be part of the planning. It gives you the opportunity to organize things you want to do your senior year and helps other seniors enjoy their last year at South.
Runge: Put in an application! We love having people with all types of backgrounds involved — quiet students, leaders, anyone. We want a diverse group so we can best represent the wishes of our students. Remember, our group should be composed of some of the best of South, so be sure you’re attending classes and doing your best on every assignment.
