Hi-Line Living: Congress at Havre High

"I love to see the students grow as student leaders throughout their experience in Student Congress," Havre High School teacher and Student Congress adviser Rebecca Reno said.

Members say the activity has helped them grow and develop.

Havre High School senior and Student Body President Katelyn Maloughney said Student Congress is about teamwork and how to work well with others without starting a fight.

Havre High School senior and Student Body Vice President Kadia Miller said she has been involved in Student Congress all four years, starting as vice president her freshman year, president sophomore year and secretary junior year.

"Student Congress is a great way to meet people, make friends and stay connected in school," Miller said.

She added that Student Congress teaches leadership skills and not only how to interact with people, but how to talk with people.

Havre High School senior and Class Treasurer Jocelyn Ketchum said Student Congress is a way to lead the school with your peers.

"It's not all on you. You get to do it with your friends, and I think we have a really good student body this year," Ketchum said.

The Congress has three membership representatives from each class. Each class elects their representatives, and seven delegates-at-large are elected by teachers and administrators from the entire student body. The representatives are led by the student body president, vice-president/treasurer and secretary.

"Student Congress is designed to develop democratic ideals; assist the administration in recognizing student interests and needs; maintain the order and justice of student organization; promote a favorable image of Havre High School; and enhance enthusiasm and loyalty of the student body," the Havre High Student Congress Constitution reads.

Reno said students are required to attend weekly meetings, adding that, something new the group is doing this year is they are required to be on one committee and carry out duties within that committee.

She added that each committee has a chairperson or is led by co-chairpersons.  

The committees of Havre High's congress are:

• The Project Committee - Bring suggestions to Student Congress meetings concerning worthwhile ways to spend funds and then act upon those suggestions.

• The Sunshine Committee - Responsible for buying and distributing cards and flowers to those members of the student body who meet Sunshine Committee qualifications.

• The Mentoring Committee - Will be in charge of the mentoring program by contacting elementary schools and making arrangements at the elementary level and lead the Blue C.R.U.E - Creating Rewarding Underclassman Experiences - mentoring at HHS

• The A Random Act of Kindness Award Committee - Will be in charge of publicity for the award, making proper arrangements, and finally selecting a candidate qualified for the award each month.

• The Speaker Committee - Researches, selects and makes arrangements for a motivational speaker for the student body each year.

• The School Exchange Committee - Makes arrangements for members to visit another school and to host a visiting school once a year.

"We are just getting these organized and off the ground and will have them implementing ideas within each committee by December," she said.

Throughout the year, students also help with fundraising events. The last couple of years the students have organized and hosted a Christmas Carnival, but this year the event is moving to a Valentine's Day Carnival. 

  "The students also help organize freshman orientation, hall and float decorating during homecoming week, Red Ribbon Week, the annual Christmas Talent Show that is put on the week before Christmas break, and our Student Congress Olympic games throughout the year," Reno said. "The goal of the Olympic games is for students to be involved in playing some games together throughout the year."

She said the Olympic games is a great way for the upperclassmen to include the underclassmen and way to get them involved at the high school.

"The kids have fun creating team T-shirts with this every year and playing these games together," she said. "Currently, Student Congress is discussing additional activities, events that they would like to organize this year. We are looking at doing a school exchange with another school this year."

She said she also requires that the student body president create and deliver a couple of speeches throughout the year.  

Students in Student Congress gain  leadership and communication skills, and learn what it means to make commitments and stick with them, problem solving skills, what it means to be a good role model, and skills to plan events and organize them, she said.

  "Student Congress students work hard at motivating and leading the other students here at Havre High.  They do some behind-the-scenes activities such as assisting other clubs here at the high school," Reno said. "We have a great group of leaders this year at Havre High School representing each class as well as the whole student body. I love to see how these students rise to the occasion and do amazing things for our school. I am proud of the work that they have done so far this year and I'm looking forward to what we can accomplish the rest of this year."

"I just feel, like any community or state, there should be a government to keep control within the school and keep the peace within everybody, Ketchum said.

"This is our job to help the school," Maloughney said.