What One Year In Student Council Taught Me

by Darina Elchaninova

This year I decided to join our school’s Student Council. And not once have I regretted my decision.

Student Council has made my school life so much better. Almost every day we were able to create something new on our own and be proud of it. This was actually my favourite part, especially when I got to organize events at school. The process of making something so cool out of nothing is truly incredible. Behind almost every celebration that was in our school stands a huge team and a lot of teamwork. I remember how we came to the media room during breaks to make cards, how we stayed after classes to make decorations, or how we practiced at school even on weekends. But then when we saw people smiling, having a fun time, when we heard the kids laughing—we all understood that it was more than worth it. And now I understand that one of the main purposes of the Student Council is to bring people joy.

We have done more than just event planning, of course—we also learned how to do do outreach. We’ve been to Nizhniy and Roshal this year, and both of these were unforgettable experiences. When you do kind things, it just brightens your heart and it is so much cooler when you get to share this feeling with your friends and your team. The people we visited were always friendly, they were glad to have us and they are always so grateful that our team and school didn't forget about them. We need to help people, to pay attention to the world around us, to care, and the Student Council really helps with that. It gives you a chance to make the world around you, and yourself, better. That experience also brought the SC members together and helped build a strong team spirit. We literally lived with each other and cared for one another!

Also a lot has happened to me personally. I have changed a lot since joining the SC. I’ve matured, I learned to see the world from other people’s perspectives, I saw how contrasting life could actually be. Now it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, of course, there were lows from which I learned a lot. I became more responsible, I realized how important it is not to let people down. But facing difficulties has been much easier with the support that Mrs. Anna and the SC have given me, and it made me stronger. And at the end, I surely became more confident, I felt like I  belonged and that my voice matters.

Being part of the Student Council prepares you for your future. What the SC helped me to understand and learn will help me in my future for sure.

The philosophy of the SC team revolves around being like a family, and we were, and still are. Because when you experience something along with other people, it does bring everyone together no matter how different you all are. I'm so happy that I had an opportunity to create strong bonds with many incredible people. I shared such magical moments with my friends and it just strengthened our relationship so much.

I absolutely want to encourage YOU to join our school’s Student Council. From my personal experience I can tell you that it benefits you in so many diverse ways. I had so much in just one year, and I'm glad someone can go through what we all did and to experience even more fantastic moments.

I can't express how grateful I am to Mrs. Anna and to my SC team. I’m so proud of us. And the memories we’ve made together will always warm my heart. I had my ups and downs, but in the end I can only say that I wish it could have lasted longer.

Will Miss With Love,

Darina Elchaninova