2008
5
ASB: is it still popularity contest?
A dam H olmes
Staff Reporter
In April, students
gathered in different areas
of the school to watch as
sophomores and juniors
explained why they should
be elected to the most
prestigious form of student
government that exists at our
school: Associated Student
Body officers, otherwise
known as ASB.
Just thinking about ASB
makes me chuckle, as I
flash back to my freshman
year and remember the
video promotions were
quite random. For those
who saw it, who can
forget Isaac Cohen riding
around on his bike in the
skate park, or Katie Fogle
pushing herself down the
stairs in a recycling bin?
Most of the election videos
didn't feature anything that
told what the candidates
stood for. Fortunately, the
format changed the next
year, ensuring candidates
actually gave speeches that
were related to what the
candidates stood for. This
was a huge improvement,
giving voters information
about which candidate is
competent enough for the
job.
Fast forward to this
.past April. This year, the
candidates improved their
speeches and presentations.
The students were much
more knowledgeable
about the issues at hand.
For instance, candidate
Samantha Hanlin, junior, was
not only an excellent speaker,
but she highlighted her
experience for the leadership
role required. She also
seemed to understand what
issues need to be focused on
and what is important to the
students. And it wasn't just
her, but many of the ASB
candidates. However, as
another ASB election passes
by, I can't help but noticing
that once again, this whole
process has the same thing
in common every year: it's a
popularity contest.
Don't get me wrong, I felt
that a lot of the candidates
this year were very qualified
for the jobs, specifically
that they have taken the
Leadership classes and are
well-rounded and social
individuals. I think these are
the most important aspects.
However, this year was no
different than previous years
in that all of the candidates
were well-known and quite
popular around school.
This is the same thing
that happens every year;
popularity wins.
We always have students
from the same group run
for ASB, and they always
have similar backgrounds
to the students who ran
the previous year. Granted,
many of the applicants
have experience in student
government and overall
school participation, but then
there are others who simply
are voted for because they
have a lot of friends, or their
speech was the funniest.
Not to be cynical, but I think
this could be preparing us
for the real word in politics.
Usually, in the real-world
political race, the "average
Joe" contender will fall under
the pressure from the rich
candidates that have deep
roots in politics. It's not
exactly fair, but the argument
against experience is getting
old. How does the average
American gain experience
for a job in the White House?
It's the system we have, and
if you're not alright with it,
than do something about it.
Next year, during the ASB
elections, encourage students
to vote for candidatess who
will really show leadership
in the school, not just friends
or comedians. That's why
the ballots don't ask for
your name, so you can vote
anonymously. Don't stick
with the students who have
the most recognizable face,
go with the students who can
get the job done. Then, ASB
will function at its highest
potential and really work for
you.
Inconsistent cell phone policies cause conflicts
J ennifer S itton
turned on during class
time. If they are found to
be turned on during class
they will be confiscated
and may be returned only
likely say that their phone
has never been confiscated
Teachers need to be
unless it has gone off in class
consistent about enforcing
or they have been caught
cell phone policies.
texting during class. Most
■
Inconsistency breeds
would probably say
frustration.
that a parent has
Even though
never had to come to
most teachers clearly
I school to retrieve their
outline their policies
phone.
at the beginning
This leads one to
of the school year,
wonder, if teachers
much of the time they
don't follow the school
don't follow their
cell phone policy,
own policy. There
how do they keep
is no consistency
classroom cell phone
between teachers.
use under control?
Some teachers will
Many teachers have
immediately take your
created their own cell
phone away, some
phone polices. Some
will simply give you
j teachers follow the
a warning, and some
j school cell phone
will pretend they
policy, confiscating
didn't even notice it.
cell phones the first
mm
This needs to
,
a * time. Sometimes
Gary Eppelsheimer, photography teacher, confiscates
change. I am not
freshman Claire Offer's cell phone in a pre-arranged s^u en s can receive
condoning cell phone demonstration. Many teachers take phones if they their cell phones
use during classes,
are caught with the during class, but policies are not back at the end of the
nor am I wishing for
consistently enforced.
Photo by Calley Lathrop period, while others
my phone to be taken
must wait until the
to a parent/guardian from
away; I simply want the
end of the day to retrieve
a
school
administrator.
policies to be consistent.
theirs. Many teachers will
WLHS is not responsible
Cell phones are clearly
give their students one or
for a student's personal
a distraction when used
two warnings to put their
electronic
device
if
it
is
during class. This is
phones away.
damaged or stolen while
addressed in the student
I have no problem with
here
at
school.
handbook. Under personal
teachers that are consistent,
Most students would
electronic devices (which
but when they don't mind
say that they have their
includes cell phones) it
cell phones one day and the
phones
on
during
class.
states:
next they confiscate them,
Yes, it is most likely on
students are discouraged
something needs to change.
silent
or
vibrate,
but
it
from bringing personal
is on nonetheless. These
electronic devices to school.
continued on page 7
same students would most
They are forbidden to be
Staff Reporter
Æ
"It makes it easier
for kids to select
classes. You can click
on a link next to the
class and see the
course description;
which makes
choosing courses
easier."
j
Î-T
" You’re wasting
time. It would be
twice as fast if you
could just mark the
classes on a piece of
paper."
—Angie Hammond,
IT Specialist
p*
m t*
—Darryl Montpart,
freshman