With the night rally and elections finished, student government class continues laying the groundwork for next year’s activities through their first ever open forum preceding this semester’s student senate meeting.

    The open forum took place two weeks ago during both lunches in the Patti Baker Theater with the intent of interested students being able to freely voice their opinions on the school’s activities.

     The topics discussed at the meetings were documented and saved to help determine the agenda for student senate, which occurred last Friday.

   Student senate took place during second period in the JB Gale Theater. This was the last student senate meeting of this current school year, as they are held only once per term.

     The senators that attended the meeting are the two officials elected from each homeroom class. During the meeting, the senators collaborate to provide feedback and ideas for the following school year.

     After the meeting, senators had the opportunity to discuss their ideas with their homeroom classes, acting as a messenger connecting the student government class with the student body.

     This meeting opened with ASB president Senya Merchant informing the students of the perks that are now included with being a student senate representative. Senators were given a sticker to place on their student ID card, which would enable them to receive benefits such as lowered dance ticket prices. This is the first time that student government has implemented a rewards system for representatives.

       “Representatives are the middle-men,” said Merchant. “We want to make it a more esteemed position because they do so much for the students and the student government class.”

     The meeting had three main agenda items. With this main three, the senators were provided an allotted amount of time to create a small group and discuss. They would then rejoin and discuss it as a whole.

     The first item discussed was feedback on the recent Battle of the Sexes rally where senators voiced positive feedback for the “I Know” stickers that many student government members wore during the week in order to promote the rally and the use of Facebook and phone technology to promote school events.

     In addition, during the meeting, students expressed interest in increased club involvement, such as the guitar class playing music and called for more teacher involvement.

      Student government teacher Ron Grove agreed that teachers play a significant role in student morale.

     “You have to have teachers who relate to the students and who understand the students,” said Grove. “Education is about relationships, not procedure.”

     New ideas for dances and rallies were also discussed, with new ideas for games, clubs and notifications. Many students expressed the need for modern music being played at rallies, new games, chants, and t-shirt cannons.

    Despite having a few more topics to discuss, student government cut the meeting short by the end of the period, but many ideas were expressed and added to the minutes documented by sophomore Jacob Priley and will be made available on the RHS website for students to see.

      Senator Ariana Criste thought that the meeting was step towards increased student participation in school events.  

     “I think that it was actually great,” said Criste. “Our student senators will broadcast what goes on and it will really help the students.”

     Freshmen Elizabeth Gallagher agreed that the meeting was beneficial, but felt a lack of student motivation.

     “People are actually there to speak up and help change,” said Gallagher. “I like the fact that we are all communicating about the school, but half the school is just like, ‘F- this,’ and the other half wants to make it better.”

     ASB treasurer, senior Jon Pham, and ASB vice president, junior Alex Kludjian, had a positive outlook on the school and how the Student Senate meetings determine the future of RHS.

     “We got a lot of good ideas and it’s really beneficial if they can help us accomplish our goals next year,” said Kludjian.

     Pham looks toward RHS’s future and hopes to see positive change in the years to come.

     “I feel quite optimistic for student government and RHS,” said Pham. “We have a good core of students who genuinely care for RHS. We are changing numerous things for the better. Roseville High School, in my opinion, has a very hopeful future because Roseville High School isn’t the best or the newest school, but the students still care about the campus, the people and the traditions.”