What actually happens at ASB meetings?

Junior class treasurer Spencer Yen and junior class representative Kanaai Shah sit chatting across the floor to each other in the main office filled with about 30 student body officers and a few other interested students. Cereal and chips are being passed around as the officers discuss events, future dances, finances and ways to fundraise for the class. The mood is lighthearted and students laugh as they chatter excitedly about the school’s happenings.

ASB meetings, which are open to all students, are held every other Monday from 6-7 p.m. According to ASB president senior Adrienne Kim, the meetings are more relaxed, now that the urgency that comes with Homecoming is gone. Lately, meetings mostly consist of discussing fundraisers, dances and school policies.

Activities director Rebeca Marshburn oversees the ASB meetings, which are presided over by Adrienne, vice president junior Luke Salin, secretary junior Nihar Agrawal, treasurer junior Aakash Thumaty, board representative senior Neel Kattumadam, head commissioners seniors Jennifer Kim and Anshika Maheshwari and clubs commissioner senior Sherrilyn Ling.

The ASB’s focus has now shifted to Winter Formal. With decisions about the venue, the price and the atmosphere, the leaders are still constantly thinking of ways to improve the dance.

“We meet during lunches on various days throughout the week and plan with [Marshburn],” dance commissioner senior Jade Bisht said. “Basically, [we are] just coming up with ideas [about] how to ensure that the student body has an incredible time at formal and enjoys every last bit of it, with no complaints.”

ASB upperclassmen have an extra challenge to focus on: prom. According to junior class president Darby Williams, the juniors are under a lot of pressure to do well, as all the fundraisers throughout a class’s four years go primarily to funding for prom.

“We got the venue [for prom] over the summer so that there would not be as much stress during the school year,” Williams said. “Right now we are talking about menu and and going to the venue to think about decorations.”

In addition to discussing dances, ASB approves clubs during meetings. There are often many students at meetings, eager to present their ideas for voting.

After voting on clubs, meetings usually wrap up with a general report from all the grades about future fundraisers.

Despite the work that ASB does, there is often a lot of criticism that follows the work, especially during and immediately after Homecoming.

“[There is some] criticism of Homecoming not being what people wanted it to be,” Adrienne said. “Sometimes people don't really know what we do so they think we don't really do anything. But I think there hasn't been any major [criticism since Homecoming].”

Aside from making a difference in the school, ASB officers also enjoy being a part of a tight-knit, positive team.

“Through ASB, all the officers have grown very close and add so many amazing qualities to the group,” Adrienne said. “Even though as an ASB we can’t make every person happy, it’s the positive support that we get from students that makes being a part of ASB so rewarding.”