In May, Brian Reilly, advisor to the high school student government, sent an email to the Grace student body, writing, \u201cMikail Oflaz was elected as the High School’s Student Body Leader for the 2024-2025 school year.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weeks before, Mikail O. \u201825 gave a speech proposing his ideas for the next school year if elected. In his remarks, Mikail proposed several changes to Grace, including field day on an actual field, buses to sports events, and a student board overlooking infractions, among other changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a three-time student representative, Mikail said he could \u201csee the flaws in the system,\u201d motivating him to run for president to make improvements. As an example, he noticed that student government often involved jumping through many hoops to make change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mikail also found that student government often lacks funding, making it difficult for student representatives to purchase items for their grades. If the student government intends to implement a policy that requires funding, it would need to organize a bake sale or other fundraising event to raise the necessary funds. Without funding, the student government has to \u201craise money to do simple things that we should be able to do right away.\u201d This leads to slow actions from the student government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe student government shouldn’t have to be sitting in the lower commons putting on bake sales and charging you guys overpriced donuts so we can get a more functioning toaster in the cafeteria,\u201d Mikail said. \u201cThis needs to change next year.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another reason for the student government\u2019s slow progress is a lack of connection between the representatives and the student body. Mikail envisions a new system next year where \u201cstudents can go up to the reps and just give them ideas for the reps to take to the meeting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new system would embrace grassroots leadership, where there would be no distance between student leaders and students, allowing the student government to serve the community best. When applied to the high school, grassroots leadership can help students speak to their reps to convey their desires. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with proposing changes to student government, Mikail wants to work to create policies that students will enjoy. To many students\u2019 dismay, last year’s House Olympics, Grace\u2019s version of field day, did not happen on a field. As president, Mikail plans to begin working on getting Grace a field for field day right away. Mikail confirms that he is already in \u201ccommunications with Mr. James so we can get field day on a calendar, giving us an entire day to go on a field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mikail\u2019s election as the High School’s Student Body Leader shows the potential for change this year. His vision for a more connected and effective student government, combined with his proactive stance on funding and policy implementation, promises new policies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fostering grassroots leadership and ensuring that students’ voices are heard and acted upon shows that Mikail plans to bring meaningful change to Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zarina Medeiros \u201826, the author, is a staff writer diving into her second year with <\/em>The Grace Gazette. Zarina loves to play tennis and read work from other journalists for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"