While often operating in the background, the Bow High School Student Senate plays a vital role in the school community; with four representatives from each grade, these elected students serve as the direct voice of the student body to the school, the district, and the administration.
These representatives have a significant role in representing the opinions of the student body and, as intermediaries, they bridge the gap between the students and the administrative decision-making process to ensure the student voice is heard when important decisions are being made.
Recent events prove the Senate’s active engagement in initiatives that impact the student body, notably the annual gift card fundraiser for senior scholarships which raised over $800 this year—with a goal of at least $1000—to help alleviate the financial burden of college for BHS seniors.
Led by President Trevor Abel, the Senate breaks into committees run by elected board members so they can tackle multiple issues at once, a structure Trevor believes is a way to connect the voice of the student body with administration to enact change. Faculty advisor Ms. Barth, who has been working with the group since 2001, also deserves credit for the valuable support she provides in working with administrators, noting that the Senate is a key organization due to its ability to bring about change in the school community.
To further amplify student voices, the Senate has been performing student interviews by roaming the building with a comically small microphone, a proactive approach that student Amanda Vance says helped kids feel like their concerns were actually being heard and taken seriously, ensuring a diverse assortment of perspectives are considered in Senate meetings and actions.
Challenges do exist for the Student Senate, particularly in communication with students. The Senate encourages proactive engagement. By reaching out to senators, students can directly influence change. The Senate wants to remind everyone that each individual has the power to enact change at BHS. One senator said, “it’s as easy as finding a Senator and nagging us with your problem until we fix it. Don’t forget that we can’t do everything, we can’t fix the wifi, but we can try to help with just about anything else.”
The future holds promising initiatives for the Student Senate. The Student Senate is currently exploring a student exchange with local high schools that will “enrich our understanding of neighboring school structures, so that we can understand how we can make our school even better.” This exchange has the potential to massively impact the student body by fine tuning Bow High School and create an even more supportive environment for students both socially and academically. The Student Senate is an indispensable force in the school community. By navigating current issues, maintaining an organized structure, and amplifying student perspectives, the Senate shapes a more inclusive and responsive educational environment. Don’t forget that the Student Senate exists only to help the students of Bow High School; if there is something that needs fixing, it’s only going to get fixed if a senator knows it's an issue.