Students in Howard County want to promote student involvement in the political process.
“We plan to stress that students should be active, not passive,” said Debbie Schub, a senior at Atholton High School in Columbia and president of the Howard County Association of Student Councils.
A buddy system was discussed at the association?s annual luncheon Saturday that would pair students from different schools to encourage their involvement in the student government process.
“We want to develop better personal relationships with each other,” Schub said.
“If you don?t attend a [student government] meeting, your buddy will call you up and say, ?Hey, I didn?t see you there.?”
Students participated in roundtable discussions at Homewood School in Ellicott City that also focused on fundraising and health and social issues, such as drinking and driving.
Brittany Shepherd, a senior at Centennial High School in Ellicott City and the association?s regional vice president, said students should participate in the student government process to have their opinions heard.
The School Board?s student member could have partial voting rights if the General Assembly approves that legislation next year.
Teens active in student government should also be aware of health and social issues, said Katelyn Melan, a senior at Centennial High and the association?s health and social issues coordinator.
Students viewed with shock a presentation of the Jaws of Life, hydraulic equipment used to retrieve victims from car accidents.
“We all had this chance to collaborate, and hopefully, we?ll all work to start SADD [Students Against Drunk Driving] chapters at our schools,” Melan said.
The student council organization is an umbrella group for more than 20 student councils and governments in the Howard County school system.
