Weeks before students gather under the disco lights at the homecoming dance, members of Student Council work hard to make it a memorable week for everyone.
Student Council members are faced with many tasks to plan and oversee: the parade, the powder puff game, the assembly, the theme and, of course, the dance. Each of these tasks are more difficult to plan than one may think.
“We start weeks beforehand on our end,” said Daniel Ponczek, one of two new Student Council advisers.
First-year Kaneland teacher JP Quirk is also new to Student Council advising.
One of the advisers’ responsibilities is to have everything in place after the students determine their own plans. One example is assuring that the parade route is booked and able to run smoothly. Advisers must also make sure that the students pick an appropriate theme.
Advisers are not the only ones who have important responsibilities. Student Council members have a lot on their plate as well. They must advertise the events, especially the dance, to ensure good attendance. The Student Council wants students to attend not only to make back the money they spent on the dance, but to put together a fun night.
Choosing the homecoming theme may seem simple, but Student Council members could have a different story.
“The theme and spirit week are our most challenging decisions, as well as the assembly,” junior and Student Council president Grace Collins said.
Collins has one of the most important positions and the final say in Student Council decisions.
The members of the club come up with several ideas before choosing the one that best aligns with their plans. They make sure the theme can be applied to a week full of spirit days. The hallway and dance decorations must also relate to that theme.
“It is also important that the theme is unique, not similar to something we have done for recent dances, and it must be relevant,” junior Student Council member Chloe Sullivan said.
While it may just seem like a fun week with a dance to most, the members of Student Council know that homecoming week is one of the most stressful times of the year. Despite all the challenges, the Student Council always tries to make the week of homecoming unforgettable.
