NMS Elects A Student Council

By Eliza Hallabeck

After attending an informational meeting, submitting an application, and interviewing with Newtown Middle School teachers, eighth grade and seventh grade students were ready on Friday, October 8, to tell their fellow students why they should be elected onto this year’s Student Council.

“Please listen carefully and respectfully,” said NMS Student Council advisor Linda Dale Muholland.

After three assemblies were held to allow each student in the school to hear the candidates speak, students voted on who they want to represent them on the council. By the end of the day, the votes were in.

Eighth grade student Helen Allen was voted as president, seventh grader Katie Mossbarger was chosen as vice president, seventh grader Haley Williams was chosen as spokesperson, and eighth grader Nicole O’Leary earned the position of treasurer.

Each position on the Student Council has its on role to perform. The president, for example, must be an eighth grader who will be responsible for overseeing the group’s meeting under advisor supervision. The president must also implement service projects and school functions, and will assist advisors with administrative duties.

“I’m a hardworking individual from Cluster 8 Red,” said Helen during her last of three speeches to students on Friday.

Helen said becoming president of the NMS Student Council was one dream she intended on chasing.

“I’ve got my mind set on being president,” she said, “because it’s not only a title, it’s a privilege.”

Four students ran for each position on the Student Council. Along with Helen, eighth graders Nick Lotreechiano, Alister Soré, and Katelyn Zimmerman ran for president. Seventh graders Luke Reppucci, Declan Sullivan, and Amanda Walsh also ran for the position of vice president. Seventh graders Sam Cox, Anika Dholakia, and Caitlin Moss also ran with Haley Williams for the position of spokesperson. The position of treasurer was also sought by eighth graders Erica Bloomberg, Brooke Hadgraft, and Nathyn Horvath.

“Now comes the important part,” said NMS Student Council Advisor Nadia Papalia, before explaining to the students in the audience on Friday that they had to go back to their classrooms and vote.

Ms Papalia told the students to chose wisely, because the chosen members of the Student Council will determine the strength of the representative group for the 2010-2011 school year.