Student representatives break mold

Student Government Boards from across the state gathered at Bartlett High School Oct. 24 through 26 to discuss issues that affect students now or will in the future. Student Governments do this twice a year, at the fall and spring conferences of The Alaska Association of Student Governments (AASG). The location of the conference changes every time, and each time students experience different parts of the state. The issues the students discuss also change at each conference. Some of these issues are the same issues that adults in our communities face, but the students can sometimes see them from a different angle.

For instance, on the issue of Alaskan Studies, there was a resolution submitted by a high school student concerning a way to have the class yet not be required. The author of the resolution not only provided solutions, but also provided a way for the class to be flexible for each district and not be a chore for students. The issue was whether Alaskan Studies should be a required class or not. The point, interpreted for the resolution, was that Alaska students should be able to take an Alaskan Studies class to help decrease the Urban/Rural divide. However, when required to take a class students tend to do the work to complete the requirement, which would defeat the purpose of the class entirely. As a student who has taken a section of the Alaskan Studies class (the American Years), through Alyeska Correspondence School, this student learned that not only does Alaska have a vast surface area, but also a vast amount of history just in the time Alaska grew from a territory to the Permanent Dividend Fund and ANILCA, not to mention all that came before those years. By allowing school districts and students the flexibility there could be a better outcome. The resolution covered every aspect, even monetary, and was passed by the students at the conference.

Palmer High School also had passed a resolution concerning music competition requirements. For current music students to participate in ASAA-sponsored events they must enroll in a music class. For some students this is not an option, because of schedule constraints, limited music class subject offerings or no available music class. While other students, for instance a football player, is not required to attend a football class. Though they do have to go to practice, music students practice, too. They have to practice for many hours just to get into the competitions.

Other resolutions ranged from when Pep Bands could perform during games to a Comprehensive Statewide Recycling Plan to a Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (International Issue). Students, aided by their advisors, submitted all of these resolutions. These students shatter generalizations made about their generation. Many adults generalize teenagers as a group of people who don't have much focus, talk loudly, get overly excited when seeing a friend and have those raging hormones. While, yes, we do get excited when we see a friend, which is a good thing, it shows we are a group of sociable people who get along with each other. We also talk loudly: yet because of our age we are often overlooked, so we raise our voice level to get attention. When talking about focus it tends to be determined by what we are interested in. The raging hormones aren't our fault, by the way, we're just along for the ride. These aren't excuses, but these are just a few reasons for a few generalizations made about that group in a Nov. 24 article in the Anchorage Daily News. Student Government is just one of the many organizations where students handle issues that adults do. Those raging hormones also participate in National Honor Society, International Club, Model U.N., Peer Helpers, FFA, FCCLA, BPA, and Close- UP, just to name a few.

Whitney Bostick is a junior at Palmer Middle School.