The new Student Council President, junior Ben Schanzer, looks forward to making the Student Council the voice of the student body and continuing to impact school policy.

The Student Council is a group of 24 elected students—six representatives from each grade—that is responsible for some of the large events held at Algonquin, like Carnival and Winter Ball, but they also deal with issues related to school policy. As president, Schanzer oversees the council and sets meeting agendas that, to some extent, control what gets discussed. He believes the Student Council serves to be a voice for students and a means to directly petition the administration. 

“We are elected to represent the students in front of the administration and the school committee on what they want to happen and what changes need to be made,” Schanzer said.

Last year, the Student Council could not host many events due to COVID-19, so they spent their time focusing on school policy instead. Led by the Policy Committee, they made major changes to the Student Council Constitution and also had gender-neutral bathrooms put in place. Schanzer’s role as co-chair of the Policy Committee during his sophomore year allowed him to play an important part in last year’s policy changes, which he hopes to continue this year. 

“I think our role is in a state of metamorphosis right now,” Schanzer said. “For the past really long time, the Student Council has been perceived as a group that just plans events. We really want to show this year, and going forward, that we have a voice and we represent the voice of the students.”

This shift from just planning events to working on school policy as well would not be possible without a cooperative administration. Schanzer is excited that Principal Sean Bevan is willing to work with members of the Student Council and is receptive to their ideas and opinions. 

“We are grateful to have an administration that listens to us and really cares about what the students think,” Schanzer said.  

Student Council adviser and social studies teacher John Barry believes Schanzer and Bevan are similar in many ways, as they both advocate for large policy changes in the future. Barry thinks both the current administration and Schanzer anticipate the Student Council playing a more active role.

“Ben sees the role of the Student Council as ‘This is where we are, but what can we do better?’” Barry said. “‘This is what the administration is thinking about, why aren’t we at the table?’ And Ben knocks on the door and asks for a seat at the table.”

Barry has been advising the Student Council for 29 years. He believes this Student Council has the dedication it takes to be an active part of the community.  

“Ben does not want the Student Council to be moribund,” Barry said. “He understands what we do well, and he wants to challenge it to do more.”

One of Schanzer’s goals for this year is creating a student-faculty congress, which would be an elected group of students and teachers serving as a legislative body in addition to the Student Council. He also hopes to implement a whole-school day of service, get a student seated on the regional school committee and reignit school spirit. However, he stresses the opinions and ideas of students are crucial to the Student Council’s success.

“I really want students to know that we are here to represent you, and while I have ideas, I can’t do stuff you want to happen unless you tell me you want it to happen,” Schanzer said. “I encourage people to reach out to me and reach out to your reps.” 

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