Student Council Relieves Stress During Pandemic

Ryan E. ’20 delivers his message during the Holiday Program on December 13, 2019. The Student Council has organized various events throughout the course of BrowningConnect to keep students in high spirit. (Tobias Everke)

Quarantining has not prevented the Student Council from ensuring that the School maintains its traditional value of community, even through unprecedented times.

“Usually, we are trying to better the School for the students in a physical sense,” Student Council Vice President Ryan E. ’20 said. “Now, we have been focusing on bringing the community together in interactive and relaxed environments.” 

The Student Council focused on serving as a voice for the student body to improve student life. They had obtained several privileges this year, including Casual Fridays, where students could dress down in a polo and khakis. Now, the council members are taking on the responsibility of organizing events more frequently. They want students to keep their morals high and preserve their friendships with peers.

Since the pandemic, the Student Council has hosted activities and challenges that have included the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Tournament and Netflix Parties. Though the Council has faced difficulties in gaging involvement from the student body, Ryan believes that the Instagram takeovers have been the most successful student activity in keeping the community connected.

“The Instagram takeover is much more easily consumed than the other projects that we have tried to do,” Ryan said. “Someone can follow the stories throughout the day with little effort or loss of time.”

During these Instagram takeovers, members of the Council interacted with students, alumni, and other members of the community through Browning's official Instagram account. They keep everyone engaged by having conversations with the people who respond to their stories and spreading positivity with videos and jokes.

The Council has also not left behind their relations within the Interschool members, hosting the first-ever virtual upper school coffee house.

“We wanted to offer the music students a chance to show what they have been working on,” Student Council representative Christian K. ’21 said. “COVID-19 had robbed them of their long-awaited performances. We also were glad that we were able to keep our friendships with the Interschool members.”

For the future, the Student Council looks to build on their accomplishments from this year, virtually and inside the red doors. Under the leadership of Gus S. ’21 and Chrstian as Student Council President and Vice President, it hopes to organize events more frequently and tie many more students together.

“We believe that our increase in respect and acknowledgment among the community will let us inject, uphold, and clarify student needs further in the handbook to secure them,” Christian said.