SMOKY LAKE — The effects of fostering student leadership in schools was on full display for Aspen View Public Schools (AVPS) trustees as they heard about the accomplishments and goals of the H.A. Kostash student council from secretary Emily Schwab and senior vice president Finn Johnson.
Schwab and Johnson were able to appear in front of trustees during the board's May 13 meeting in Smoky Lake after the wildfire south of Boyle necessitated the cancellation of the May 8 meeting.
The pair of Grade 11 students gave trustees a thorough rundown of their efforts this year, including fundraising events, school-wide games, and student outreach, but not before explaining their motivations.
“The old school was kind of like an old home, it’s not terrific, there were things that could be worked on, but it has that feeling,” said Johnson.
“Everybody’s used to it, you walk down the hallway and you know all the stories that have happened there, you know all those little murals on the wall. In the next couple of years, the student council is really just trying to bring that feeling here, of course, minus the damages.”
But building character in the new building isn’t free. In order to fund their improvement ideas, the group organized successful fundraisers, including a candygram program with bags featuring a student-designed label and a Pi Day event where students could pay to shove whipped cream in both teachers' and police officers' faces.
“In our bank account right now we have a little over $4,000, so we are saving up and we are getting ready to try and improve our school,” said Schwab.
Johnson and Schwab listed a colour run, duct taping teachers to walls, and a masterchef-style competition as future fundraisers the group is hoping to plan in the future.
Beyond raising money, student council has also been focused on inspiring school spirit in their counterparts with creative approaches, like the revival of a once-a-week students verses teachers lunchtime intramural league several week, and a several week, school-wide Clue game they sponsored.
“We had a great reception from of that, the people we’ve asked viewed it extremely positively,” said Johnson. “It was definitely one of the cooler things that we’ve done in the school.”
The group has a number of big ideas on their radar for the near future, and one is putting their recently purchased projector to good use. Schwab said council hopes to host entry-by-donation movie nights on a regular basis, complete with popcorn for sale at the concession.
“The last thing we’re working on currently is a buddy bench,” said Schwab. “In our old school we had one, it was great. We don’t know where it went, it’s gone, so we think it would be a really great idea to get one again.”
Johnson explained the colourful buddy bench not only added charm to the playground, but served as a place where kids looking for a playmate or hoping to find a new friend could sit and be joined by others.
“The student union is going to build the bench,” said Schwab. “Our art class is going to paint it — we’ve already talked to them about it too, they’re happily willing to because most of them are on our council — and then we’re going to go down to elementary and get them to put handprints on it.”
One of the largest items on the student council's to-do list is adding life to the grey, industrial ways of the new school building. Opened in August 2023, the new facility contains modern design Schwab said students are having trouble connecting with.
“Our school kind of looks like a prison, there’s no colour,” she said. “So in order to implement colour and school spirit, we are attempting to make a school mural.”
Schwab said she and another student are in the process of designing the multi-canvas piece, with the library and high school hallway as proposed locations.
The pair flagged concerns over the state of sports equipment in the gym, stage curtains and risers, and damaged Chromebooks as areas council is considering spending savings on to improve student experiences.
AVPS Board Chair Candy Nikipelo suggested student council pair with the parents of school council to achieve their bigger goals, such as bringing more agriculture-based courses and options to the school.
“I’ve known these two students for many years and I’ve heard Emily speak at school council meetings,” said Smoky Lake area trustee Elohne Chizawsky. “You both are doing such an amazing job, we need more students like you. This is what we love.”
“It’s heartwarming to know what you want to do and want to accomplish for the entire school, so thank you so much for what you do, and continue to do what you’re doing, you’re going to make the school a better place.”
