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| Student Government 2010-2011 |
As a small school, we are proud to have an exceptionally active and organized student government, which serves as a voice for the students and liaison between the school administration. Under the guidance of Ms. Marinos, a Social Studies teacher, the student leaders meet weekly to discuss projects, proposals, and create action plans to fulfill their goals. Representatives from grades 6 through 12 work together to improve communication between the grades. Committees handle specific projects, such as safety, recycling, and the school store, and report their progress at the meetings. Recently, they organized a high school dance called “The Glo.”
Let’s get to know our new leadership team and see how they plan to get things done for East-West: Anthoulla Themistokleous and Hiba Rashid will succeed Max Poumie and Ogo Morka as Student Body President and Vice-President during their senior year. Elections wrapped up earlier in May for positions in the student government. Candidates campaigned by preparing speeches, submitting references, interviewing with student government, and participating in public debates. Student leaders are responsible for representing our student body and serving as role models for middle and high school.
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| Clockwise from top left to right: Ogo Morka, Max Poumie, Anthoulla Themistokleous and Hiba Rashid |
Anthoulla joined East-West as a 9thgrader in 2008. Along with being an active member of student government, she is also one of the leading members of Planet Eco Green Solutions, the environmental club. She joined the club because of her growing interest in gardening and sustainable food. Easily recognizable by her bright smile and frequent trips to the microphone at Morning Muster, Anthoulla is committed to helping people and the environment and learning more about the world.
Hiba was one of East-West’s first class of students as a 7th grader in 2006. She is known around the school for being a bright, ambitious student and she takes after school courses at Queens College. After watching East-West grow and change each year, she is proud of her school and its potential. Hiba has taken advantage of East-West’s unique language offerings by completing all available Japanese courses and taking on Korean as a second language. She hopes to travel to Korea someday to further her language studies. Hiba is currently contributing as an East-West News Intern and learning more about online journalism while publishing regular articles for the blog. Recently, she interviewed Ms. Hartong, our Drama teacher. Check out her articles on the blog!
What do you like best about East-West?
A: The cultural diversity. I love that East-West is so different from other schools. Our school is small, but it has a lot of potential.
H: I would say the variety of classes and clubs and how there is something that fits everyone’s interests. You can always start your own club if there isn’t one that suits you. I am planning to start a Key Club chapter with Mrs. Braverman to help more students find volunteer opportunities.
Why did you decide to run for President and Vice-President? What do you hope to accomplish?
A: I wanted to run for president to enhance our school’s potential and help other students appreciate East-West more. I want to bring more unity between the middle and high school and create more afterschool opportunities, like a cheerleading squad for our new basketball team.
H: It’s our last year, so I wanted to make lasting changes and contribute to the school. I hope to improve collaboration between middle and high school and create events that will engage students and boost school pride.
What is one of your favorite memories about East-West?
A: Definitely Culture Day or Advisory Day in 9th grade. My advisory with Ms. Rhi focused on culture, so we brought food from all different cultures. One student, Josh Alvarez, brought in his electric guitar and students would visit our classroom.
H: Our first Field Day! It was first big event ever and it was so much fun to have all the students and teachers involved.
What is a skill or talent you have that not many people may know about?
A: I would say I do a lot of research if I’m curious about something. Ok, or maybe singing. It sounds good to me when I sing, so maybe I have a secret talent that only I can hear??
H: My native language is Urdu and I can read and write in classic Arabic. I also like singing!
What is your dream career?
A: I don’t want to do one thing forever. But I do want to travel and I want to help people. Maybe I will teach internationally. I want to see the world and know the good and bad for myself.
H: When I was younger, I wanted to be a singer. Now I’m thinking about becoming a journalist. I want direct experience about the news I see on TV. I’m especially interested in human and social issues internationally, like with women and children.
What would you like to tell your fellow students?
A: Stand up for yourself! Don’t let other people push you around and tell you how to feel or how to be. When I was younger, I would be very influenced by my friends, especially in middle school. But I realized that I had to stand up for what I believed in.
H: Don’t waste your time on unimportant things or you will regret it. Focus on your education and think about the future.
Good luck with leading our school next year! East-West is proud to have you as our representatives. Hiba and Anthoulla will meet with the current school government leaders and present their reflections in a follow-up post.