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Lisa Sileo is student council rep on BOE
(by Kathryn A. Burger - May 28, 2008)
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Staff Photo By Kathryn A. Burger
Lisa Sileo, a junior at
Park Ridge
High School , is vice president of the executive student council and its first representative to the district’s board of education. The Student Council successfully lobbied for the creation of the position this school year.
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When she was in seventh grade, Lisa Sileo ran for a place on the student council and lost. She ran again in eighth grade and lost. Neither defeat deterred her from going to meetings and joining committees at
Park Ridge
Middle School .
In ninth grade, she ran once again and this time was elected as treasurer of the high school’s Student Council. She ran for treasurer again the following year and won. Her string of wins continued with her election to the executive student council where, in her junior year, she serves as vice president.
She said her determination and interest in participating in student government has always been strong. “I have always thought that those who are directly affected by something should have a say, and in this case – a school – I think it is extremely important to have student leadership. After all, the decisions made will directly affect our lives, so it just makes sense for students to be leaders.”
That said, it is not surprising that when the council succeeded in having the board of education incorporate a student representative into its bylaws, that she was a candidate for the position. “The idea first came up after Mike Kehrli and I attended a leadership conference and heard from students from other schools that they had student representatives [on their boards of education]. We thought this was a great idea for us to pursue,” she said, adding that the student council has always been interested in the decisions the board makes that affect the student body. It was also important, she said, for the council to understand how the board makes those decisions.
The council agreed to advocate for the creation of a student representative and then began the process. “The executive members of the council sought out board members and suggested the idea to them, and council members discussed the possibility with advisors and at the principal’s advisory meetings [where council members meet with the high school principal to voice concerns and suggest new ideas]. Because of the students’ persistence and enthusiasm, she said, the board created the position of student representative.
Then it was election time once again. “Three of us ran for the position. The entire student council voted,” she said, and she was the top vote-getter. The other two candidates, Mike Kehrli and Stephanie Thompson, are alternates.
At a board of education meeting in February, she took the oath of office and took her place next to Superintendent of Schools Patricia Johnson at the board table. Though a non-voting member, she has an important role to play. Each month, she provides the board with a fact-filled report on a number of topics: Sports, Student Council news; Academics and Clubs; and Upcoming events. Her comprehensive reports cover a wide range of topics, from how sports teams fared in competitions to plans for Spirit Week; the success of the school’s annual marathon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the dates for important school events, such as prom, and the Senior Awards and Spring Sports Awards.
As important as her reports to the board are, her reports to the student council about the board’s actions and discussions are equally important. The council’s success in establishing the position of student representative is indicative of the increased interest in the work of the student council and its potential for positive changes at the school. Sileo said one of the most rewarding aspects of being on the student council has been the revival of school spirit and enthusiasm. “This year, we worked very hard to rejuvenate the school spirit that has been somewhat lacking in past years. It was amazing to see how our efforts worked and united the student body. Our efforts were clearly evident in Spirit Week, [held earlier this spring] especially theme day when each grade decorated a part of a hallway according to a specific theme. It was a big hit with the students and the week culminated with a pep rally.”
The success of Spirit Week has served to validate the role of the student council. “It assured us that we can actually make a difference and made us realize that if we continue to put in consistent effort we can change things for the better.”
Looking toward the future, Sileo is confident that the council’s work this year has raised the profile of the council and more students are aware of its role in influencing their experience as students. And, from the number of students who are running for council in the June election, she is right on the money. “We are anticipating an exciting election, with the greatest number of people I have ever seen running for student council.”
Is she running again? Of course. She’s seeking a second term as vice president. Her position as board of education representative runs through next April. The council will elect a new representative when the board elections are held.
Does she think having a student council member on the board of education has been worthwhile? Absolutely. “The most rewarding part is that the students have now established a permanent connection with the administration and that relationship will hopefully flourish as new representatives continue to fill the position. I think it’s great for the students to be aware of what is going on at board meetings, and it is equally important for the board members and the public to be aware of what the students are taking part in,” Sileo said.
She added, “I think that my presence reminds the board and the public why they’re there in the first place – for the kids.”
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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