(From the Summer 2019 issue of Doorways, Holton's alumnae magazine, out now!)
A group of fifth graders was participating in a lively Social Studies discussion about school uniforms this past winter when Carter '26 had a pressing question. Why didn't Lower School have its own student government, like the Middle and Upper Schools? Why was there not a regular forum where students could discuss ideas for improving and enhancing Lower School life with "higher-ups"?
Carter enlisted the help of four friends, Sasha, Rebecca, Rose, and Kai, and together this informal committee hashed out a rough sketch for a Lower School Student Council: Each homeroom would have an elected representative and a suggestion box, so "everybody would get to participate, not just the representatives," Carter explains. Representatives would have to present all their homeroom's suggestions to the Council, "because they're there to speak for everyone."
In February, Carter started a petition and her team helped circulate it, sharing their idea and discussing its potential benefits with other Lower School homerooms. Before long, they had 155 signatures—most of the Lower School student body and 15 teachers. After working hard with their Language Arts teacher, Rachel Kolb, to flesh out their arguments and polish their presentation for Lower School director Christy Diefenderfer, the administrator soon added her name to their tally.
Diefenderfer was extremely impressed by the group. "It's so important for students to realize at a young age that their voice matters," she says, "and a representative student government is a perfect way for our students to understand how democracy works and help create positive change in the Lower School. Small but mighty actions, like having the courage to share and implement ideas, help prepare our youngest students to be agents of change in our 'complex and changing world.'"
With Diefenderfer's support, the Lower School Student Council effort had just one more hurdle: the committee had to meet with Head of School Susanna Jones. Despite their hours of preparation and practice, the girls found this somewhat "terrifying." (To work out their nerves before the presentation, they staged an impromptu dance party outside of her office.)
"You think of her as this very important person who you'll never get to talk to and who's in charge of everything," Rose says. "But she's really nice and really listens to your ideas."
Jones not only listened to the idea; she loved it.
"It's happening [this] year," Carter says proudly. She remembers when she and her fellow committee members got the email from Jones—and all the screams of joy that spilled through the Lower School hallways afterwards.
"It was like sprinkles everywhere!" Kai giggles.
Huddled around a conference table in the Lower School Library, the committee members beam when they talk about the project—about seeing their big idea through to an even bigger reality.
"It's put me in a different place," Rebecca says. "If this can happen, then lots of other great things are possible, too."
The girls are thrilled for the fall, when they will help unveil final details about Student Council and upcoming elections to their peers. (And they are quick to point out that if they choose to have any official, ongoing involvement, they'll have to run for election just like everyone else.)
It's clear that Lower School Student Council has already made a huge impact on these five students; it's stretched their comfort zones, boosted their confidence, sharpened their persuasive and communications skills, and deepened their relationships with one another, fellow students, teachers, and their principal.
"We became good friends!" Kai says while initiating a team hug.
"We're an example of what's possible through Student Council," Rose says—and of what can happen when young women are empowered to act on their beliefs.
(Hear the girls discuss their efforts and what they've learned along the way in the video embedded above.)
