Every year, students step up to assume leadership roles for clubs and classes. While these roles generally include planning meetings with a group of students, the position of senior Executive Student Council held by Omar Hamarshi includes planning and coordinating events that affect the entire student body.
“I would describe Student Body President as the leader of logistical coordination for all things StuCo,” Hamarshi said. “I get everyone together and make sure everyone [knows] what they’re doing. The executives are kind of like the glue that connects everyone’s efforts into one unified effort.”
Elected through student votes, each grade level has a group of students in Student Council representing them. However, the Executive Student Council oversees the school as a whole, taking charge of main events. This has allowed Hamarshi and other executive members to feel more connected to the school.
“Teachers and students feel so much more comfortable talking to me because of the Student Council President title, and it’s been so nice [getting] to know so many more people,” Hamarshi said. “People want to meet me and I love getting to meet them.”
Though the job requires constant communication between students and teachers, Hamarshi enjoys taking on the responsibilities.
“My favorite thing is being that guy. I love it when friends or administrators have an important question and I’m the point of contact — cool feeling,” he said.
This year, the executive board is attempting to bring back BV traditions and rekindle school spirit.
“I’m doing my best to make the most out of Student Council,” he said. “We have done a good job with reviving announcements, I bought a gavel that I’m hoping to pass down to the next Executive President, and I’m doing my best to live up to the great traditions we already have.”
However, being in such an arduous and significant position can be tiring for a plethora of reasons — namely, how being so involved in the orchestration of large gatherings demands weeks of careful planning.
“School events are kind of different when you are the one planning them,” Hamarshi said. “I still enjoy all the great stuff we plan, but it isn’t the same carefree joy as when I was just a student attending.”
Despite this, Hamarshi believes that this role has helped him grow as a person, gain more knowledge, and be a greater leader.
“Student Council is the most leadership I have taken on as a student so far,” Hamarshi said. “It is probably one of the largest scope organizations, and it’s been a really great test of my leadership abilities.”
