To my high school student council advisor, I know it's been a year since I've graduated, but there're some thoughts I've been meaning to share. First and foremost, thank you; I don't think I fully grasped just how wonderful my four years on student council were, until I got to college and realized there's really nothing like it. I was under the impression that the Student Government Association would be the same thing, but it's not even close. The closest organization to student council I've found thus far has been my sorority, but even that isn't quite the same. I had such a fun four years on student council, and I'm so thankful that student council helped create some of my best memories from high school.
Student council gave me stronger leadership and delegation skills than I ever realized I had developed and provided a forum where I felt comfortable enough to voice my opinion and share my ideas. I likely took this for granted until I started joining organizations in college and realized freshman hardly have the same power to share ideas that student council gave me.
My fellow council members and I also questioned sometimes why we were required to attend a school board meeting each year and volunteer spend at least 4 hours helping show parents around the school during parent-teacher conferences, but I now see that you were helping us feel connected to our community and feel a deeper sense of pride for our school. I am now more thankful that such requirements helped us stay rooted in our supportive community, even as some of us yearned to leave our small town.
A few times, I remember questioning why I joined student council, but now — as an alumna — I see that it was one of my favorite parts of high school. I once lost three student council elections in a span of three weeks of the school year, and at the time, I wasn't sure that being a part of student council was worth the defeat, but I know now that the memories and the self-confidence I gained were well worth the time. Further, the friends I made throughout my four years on student council are still with me, even after our first year at college. It surprises me that the girl I sat across the table from at our very first Class of 2016 meeting is still a close friend; I didn't anticipate building such relationships through student council, but I am so glad I did.
When college got tough, some of the many great high school memories I fell back on included student council activities. I can't help but smile when I think about the I Pink I Can 5K or the homecoming pep assembly, which I still feel excited to have announced. Every now and then, I look back at the pictures from my class building our homecoming float each year, and it hasn't failed to brighten my mood, even if just a little. Colleges have homecoming week festivities, but it just isn't the same. In college, homecoming is about honoring the seniors and the alumni, yet underclassmen are expected to do the grunt work of building the lawn decorations and participating in the activities when others don't want to. In high school, homecoming was fun for all classes, a time to come together and celebrate the school before Friday's big football game.
Beyond the memories and the friendships, I believe student council helped develop who I am today. I am more confident, outgoing, and creative because of student council. To my advisors, you always pushed me to share my thoughts and were always willing to lend advice about college and the future. I appreciate your listening and guidance far more than I let on at the time. I still feel so thankful to have spent four years on student council, led by such encouraging advisors; thank you, I won't forget it.