At Hempfield Area, student forums are becoming one of the most important ways students can share their opinions and ideas. These meetings give students from every grade a chance to speak up about what they like, what they don’t like, and what they want to change. Recently, seniors, juniors, and sophomores all had the opportunity to share what is on their minds.
The senior class expressed concerns about several issues, especially the bathrooms. Many senior boys said they were upset with the availability of the bathrooms. Seniors are also upset about the current schedule, particularly because they miss having an activity period. Some students feel that without it, there is less time to participate in clubs or connect with friends during the school day. On a more positive note, seniors also shared ideas for end-of-year activities. Instead of the traditional senior movie night, many suggested having a senior bonfire as a more memorable and interactive way to celebrate their final year.
Juniors came prepared with creative ideas as well. One popular suggestion was hosting another school dance during the winter, possibly a “Snowball” dance. They also discussed the price of prom tickets. Other fun ideas included a glow-in-the-dark dodgeball tournament, a college football day fundraiser for student council, and even a field day. It’s clear that juniors are looking for more ways to build school spirit and get students involved.
Sophomores focused on both practical improvements and fun activities. One suggestion was providing maps to students on the first day of school to help freshmen and new students find their way around. They also shared concerns about friends being separated due to lunch changes and mentioned that the activity period feels too short. Some sophomores brought up how they miss certain meetings that are no longer in their schedules and wondered if there’s a way to bring them back. For something more exciting, they suggested hosting a March Madness-themed activity.
Student council officer Izabell Orczeck explained why forums are so important, saying, “The forums help us to gather ideas and suggestions about the school. It’s a way for students to come talk to us in person and have a real conversation about topics. I think that as a student council officer it is my job to get the students involved and make Hempfield a place where they want to be.”
Mrs. Kertoy also shared why she believes forums matter to the entire school community. She said, “Forums are a great opportunity for the student body to voice concern to their elected peers. This gives our representatives the chance to take concerns or input directly to our administration to make change. We never want the students to feel as if their voices are not heard. The goal of a student government should always be worrying about serving all students, not just one type, and we hope these forums allows all students the chance to speak up. We would like to start doing them quarterly next year!”
Overall, the forums showed that students care deeply about our school. Whether it’s improving bathrooms, planning new events, or adjusting schedules, students want their voices heard. Forums give them that opportunity. With the possibility of holding forums quarterly next year, Hempfield can continue growing into a place where students feel comfortable, included, and excited to be every day.
