McGavock High School - Etc Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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The issue of the way in which a student council would be formed at McGavock was a controversial one for many months. Everyone at McGavock wanted a student council that would represent the views and ideas of all the students, and therefore, be beneficial to the entire school, but no one was quite sure of how this task could be successfully accomplished. Taken into consideration was the fact that McGavock’s student body consisted of almost 3,000 students of dif- ferent races, and coming from a variety of social back- grounds, and a cross section of neighborhoods and schools. There appeared to be no way for a student council to conform to the many different needs of McGavock’s cross section of students. The administration devised a plan for electing student council representatives. Three would be chosen from each homeroom, and at least one of the three would have to be black. This plan would have guaranteed that there would be an appropriate ratio of blacks to whites in the council. Some concerned students, both black and white, did not like the idea of anyone telling them who they had to vote for, or the concept of the guaranteed ratio. These people felt that the students of McGavock should have the right to choose representatives for student council on the basis of the qualifications for the job. Regardless of color, if a person was qualified for the job, then he would get the position. The Senior Advisory Committee (having been formed even before the official opening of school) was given the awesome task of developing a plan for a working student council. The Advisory Committee was finally successful in devising a plan that was approved by the majority of the students. Each homeroom would elect two representatives. It was not required that one of the students be of the minority race. However, if, after all the homeroom representatives were chosen, and there was not enough blacks on the council, there would be a special election in order to put some on the student council. The students at McGavock were also anxious to dispose of the old President, Vice president, etc. concept that have always run student councils at most other schools. Instead, McGavock had an Executive Council which con- sisted of one senior, one junior, and one sophomore from each of McGavock’s four small schools. These 12 people were elected after a three-day campaign. The students could vote for only one person from each grade and only those candidates from their own school. The senior executive council member assumed the duties that the president usually performs. The junior was in the position as vice-president and the sophomore assumed the duties of a secretary. Because McGavock is so large, having two representatives from each homeroom still composed a group of more that 160 people. This group was still two large for any serious discussion and solving of problems. Conse- quently, the executive council was summoned for im- portant decision- making meetings. They would then re- late what happened to the rest of the student council at small school meetings. The student council was successful in accomplishing many tasks and acquiring many much-desired activities for McGavock students. The majority of the students were very much pleased with their student council and felt that most of the time it represented them all.

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North School The duly elected members of the McGavock North Executive Com- mittee for the year ‘71-’72 are An- thony Durham—senior, Steve Doran —junior, and Jo Anne Benson— sophomore. This year, Anthony, Steve, and Jo Anne have done a superb job of curbing chaos. Actual- ly, the homeroom representatives have really succeeded in getting our student government off to a good start. Next year’s student council will have large shoes to fill.