Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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i ,gigs .r Ei Break - a a Leaders, actions succeed nteraction between students, their elected representatives, and the administration was what the Student Council was all about in its quest to make students an integral part of the policy making process. The officers relied on the representa- tives just as the members also relied on strong, effective leadership. Council President John Landa felt that this combination was vitally important to success. and he was pleased with the results of the yearis actions. I had to make the Student Council my number one priority, and I sure did enjoy it, said Landa who presided over the more than 80 Council officers and representatives. Landa felt that the Student Council was a viable, working force for the student body, and added that many students tended to play down the importance of the Council. People thought the Student Council couldn't do anything, and they were wrong, said Landa. 'Alt was the responsibility of the students and the representatives to act, and we did it. The Executive Board of the Council met several times throughout the year in planning sessions, and they dis- cussed the objectives for the year, according to Landa. One of our main goals was to see if we could get a repre- sentative from the administration to help advise us so we would know where to channel our efforts, said Landa. It was important to know the administra- tion's point of view on our actions, he said. One very important thing that the 28 ' Student Council officers wanted to work towards was to keep our spirit going at all times. Landa continued. If we were to be as effective as last year, we would have to keep the representatives interested, and would have to maintain good proce- dure during all the meetingsf' Landa said he felt the restrictions on representation requirements were too lax. He felt that if a representative was allowed to miss three straight meetings, he should not serve because he would have missed too much. The rules should be changed not to be more stringent, but rather to make the Coun- cil more purposeful, they are there for a reason. Landa felt he had an outstanding board of officers, and was especially praising of Vice-President Jeff Stocks, who he felt was an integral part of the success of many projects, in particular the Homecoming Weekend. Jeff was my best worker,', Landa added, and he really helped make difficult projects a reality. When a conflict arose on a bill between Landa's conscience and the majority of the Student Council mem- bers, Landa said there was no question as to which way to turn his efforts. If something passed that I didnft like, I left my feelings behind and I worked hard for that bill. Landa felt that some of the most pro- ductive projects included the formation of a question and answer panel, the purchase of soccer goals, the Home- coming success, and the fund-raising for the Spring Branch Council for Exceptional Children. I really am thankful for the job, Landa reflected, because it taught me a great deal about organization, associ- ation with all sorts of people, and how to go about getting a lot of work done. -30.- - Bobby Lapin BESIDES SPONSORING THE HOMECOMING DANCE, student council members and officers have also raised money for exceptional children and sold Nautilus memberships. Photo by Trent Rosenthal. TO HELP BEAUTIFY MEMORIAL, Student Coun- cil members planted ivy on the fences surround- ing the school. Senior John Landa twines a plant around the wire fence as his contribution. Photo by Trent Rosenthal. WITH A PEN IN HAND, Freshman Judy Cuenod takes notes at a student council meeting as Freshman Wendy Kaplan and Paula Woodard listen to the discussion. Photo by Trent Rosen- thai.

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THE YEAR, student council officers Will Winsauer, Jeff Stocks, John dahllprovide a link between students and the Laurie O'Donnell, and Carolyn Blom- administration. Photo by Trent Rosenthal. wggam ' Fizz' 4 fl 1212226 at so YY WITH THEIR EYES SET UPON STUDENT COUN- CIL OFFICERS, Sophomores Gay Robbins and Jamie Turner listen to plans concerning a dance marathon. Photo by Trent Rosenthal. Student Council ' 29