By RAINA PAWLOSKI

Special to The Press

“If you wanna be a good archaeologist, you gotta get out of the library!” (Screenwriter David Koepp, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”)

What is the point of student government? If you ask most high schoolers, they will have a hard time coming up with an answer.

Typically, the words class president or senior treasure evoke a vague image of some overachieving valedictorian who shoves school spirit into tired students’ faces; making wild claims about less homework and longer passing periods.

Most people are just trying to do well in their classes and get through the day with their heads down.

So naturally, why should they put any faith into their peers who claim to have all the solutions?

Members of Parkland’s Student Senate, however, has made it their mission to go about things differently.

They understand the frustration and anger that high schoolers feel when they don’t believe they are playing a part in their own education.

In just its third year of operation, the Senate is already making important improvements dealing with issues such as mental health, incentive programs and school lunch quality, to name just a few.

The success of the club’s efforts is due to the hard work of the people who embody it.

Notable leaders of the Senate include President Giovanni Poloni, Secretary Vanessa Stauffer, Treasurer Eric Jin, Webmaster Cedric Tabban and Public Relations Officer Nana-Adwoa Abrokwah.

All these students found their way into the club through teacher recommendations and impressive reputations of being star students.

Another vital member of the Senate is Julie Wood, club advisor and beloved Spanish teacher.

Wood discussed the importance of student government.

“I think having a student voice is the most important part,” Wood said.

“The kids have that opportunity to share their views to the administration, so they are represented and heard.”

One of their key operations is the “Spin it to Win it” program.

Students who are recognized as being worthy by their teachers are invited to spin a game wheel which will provide them with prizes.

Winnings can include nail polish, throw blankets, themed socks, AirPods, or even some fun school related goodies, such as tickets to the infamous Mr. Parkland show or free school popcorn.

To most, this may just seem like a nice little game, but Wood explained the deep impact she has seen it have on Parkland’s students.

“We’ve had kids who have emotional issues, who have had some really bad behavioral (issues), who were really turned around by wanting to be a part of the incentive program,” Wood said.

She discussed how fellow teachers would rave to her about the way students made efforts to work harder and be more attentive in class at a chance for a win.

Maybe the chance to play a game was the exact push they needed to put themselves on a different path, she wondered.

The Senate is dedicated to promoting mental health. Members have created a committee that will focus on discussing with the administration the importance of implementing school psychologists.

They say having access to help when needed can be the difference between a good or bad high school experience.

Wood also spoke about the club’s efforts to push for better cafeteria food.

“We had the students meet with the food service director last year because they were upset about the food here in the cafeteria,” Wood said. “We set up a meeting with the administration and with the food service director, and great things came out of that meeting, because then everyone understood the students’ points of view.” Highlighting concerns of the students is one of the founding tenets of the Student Senate.

For those unaware, every year Parkland clubs build floats to represent themselves to the students.

These are then paraded around Orefield Middle School’s football field the night before Homecoming.

This year, the Student Senate chose an Indiana Jones theme for its float.

Wood discussed design plans to the club members during one meeting.

“He’s jumping over bad, evil things, and he wants to get to the better side of the float, the beach!” she exclaimed.

She and the students then got to work sketching their float plan, painting a vivid picture of Indie jumping over snakes and fire to get to the sunny, fun beach end of the float.

This design says the Student Senate, represented by an ’80s action hero, isn’t afraid of a challenge, even snakes and scary administration members, that they are willing to take action when others are not, and that they are a dependable hero for fellow students.

Most of all, the Student Senate helps Parkland students make it through the day-to-day drudges of high school by giving them a platform and a voice.

Wood said it best while addressing the Student Senate.

“We want equal opportunity. We want representation from all of you to make sure the voices are heard from the students,” Wood said. “That’s the point.”