As part of the student government curriculum at the Wright City Middle School, students are asked to sharpen their public speaking skills.

One such instance occurred at the monthly R-II school board meeting in October, when representatives of the middle school student government not only led the pledge of allegiance but also gave a presentation to those assembled about the group’s mission.

Program sponsor Lisa Janas said that the effort undertaken by the group each year is to help members grow in their ability to not only help themselves, but those around them.

“During Student Council, we are working on organizational skills, planning skills, event planning, even,” Janas said. “(Also), public speaking, like tonight and fundraising throughout the year.”

The four student representatives each stated their why for being a part of the group.

“I joined Student Council because I wanted to participate in my community,” Lilyanna said.

“I wanted to help support our school,” added Piper

“I (want to) help organize and be part of school activities,” Emmalie said.

“I joined to help fundraise for the school activities,” Henry concluded.

While each student offered their personal reasons for joining, the presentation stated that the program's overarching goals include developing leadership skills, fostering responsibility and positive role modeling, boosting school morale, and helping schools and communities through experiences.

Some of the leadership skill development is hoped to be achieved through organizational and planning skills, behavior, event and academic commitments, peer mentoring and coaching and helping other groups in need.

“The behavior commitments come from always being a positive role model and helping others make better choices than they might otherwise,” Janas said.

Part of helping others is hoped to come through such things as concessions at events, field days and the end-of-the-year dance, among other things.

“We do fundraising with TJ’s Pizza and Perfect Pastries,” Emmalie said. “These (funds) help allow us to have motivational speakers at our schools, which helps kids stay motivated to come to school. At the end of the year, we do field days. We have fully funded this for the last three years through the student council. At the end of the year, we do a large formal dance. Student council takes charge of that and executes (it).”

At the end of the presentation, board member Beth Dean addressed the assembled students and praised them on behalf of the board for their efforts.

“I just want to thank all of you for volunteering your time to do that because those are all really important things for the culture of the school,” Dean said.