Student council adviser Delaney Titus (left) and student council president Sophie Ashley.
For the last seven years, social studies teacher Delaney Titus has led East’s Student Government Association (SGA). This year, alongside a myriad of other policy changes, SGA has changed its name, officially becoming Student Council. The decision for the name change was made by Titus in an effort to more accurately reflect the organization’s mission at East.
“I don’t like the tone that comes across when something is called a government,” Titus said. “Government indicates that there is some sort of authority to dictate change. I 100 percent understand that student voice is important, but I think that voice needs to be more of a council type of definition.… The word ‘government’ to me just suggests that they have some sort of power that in reality, they don’t have.”
Lack of authority has always existed within the organization, leading to confusion and what Titus described as “instances where [SGA] had overstepped their bounds.” With the name change comes a clearer picture of what to expect from the council moving forward.
“It’s not necessarily to try and do things like get soda machines or paint parking spaces,” Titus said. “Leaving those for the School Improvement Team to handle, while we focus on engagement and excitement and school spirit, is what I would say, more than anything else, is our goal this year.”
As a result of the election held in September, senior Sophie Ashley has been elected as the first president of the new Student Council. Ashley is supportive of the name change, saying that it feels more “inclusive.”
Both Titus and Ashley say they are focused on increasing student engagement, but in different ways. Titus increased the number of grade-based representatives from two to four, while Ashley has been working to regain in-person arts performances. Ashley has talked with principal Ken Proulx, and said that he has been working with other administrators to bring performances back.
“Events that I had in mind were band, orchestra and a cappella performances outside on Freshman Hill,” Ashley said.
While Ashley wants performances back in-person, Titus emphasized that the Council has little control over what events are possible this year.
“As far as events go, we still have to play it by ear because we don’t know what the district’s going to allow,” Titus said. “So there’s not going to be a lot of in-person [events]. That’s the short answer until I’m told otherwise.”
As of Sept. 24, there are no plans to hold a Homecoming Dance or Dance Marathon this year, so the Student Council is looking to continue successful digital projects from last year, like the virtual movie night.
Virtual movie nights often featured lesser known films concerning social justice issues, like Who Killed Vincent Chin?, a documentary about anti-Asian stigma and violence. The director Christine Choi was present for a panel following the movie.
“People watched from home via a Google Meet and then were able to ask questions,” Titus said. “We were able to share these moments as a community, even though we were virtual.”
Despite the barriers created by the pandemic, the new Student Council is committed to creating a stronger, more inclusive community at East.
Photo by Henry Koonce/The ECHO
