By Olivia Shipp ‘26, Lia Tapia ‘26, and Asa Diaz Cruz ‘26
Behind the prep rallies, Homecoming events, Powder Puff, Family Feud, and Halloween Costume Contest lies the work of the student council members at CV. Student council is a group of students who take charge of school events and activities. Their biggest events are the school dances and pep rallies.
Student council is made up of their advisors, English teachers Mr. Jesse Shenk and Mrs. Jessica Cooper, and a group of students who were elected by their classmates. They meet on Thursday mornings in the LGI from 7am to 7:30am.
According to Mr. Shenk, student council is one of several “nationally recognized clubs.” He continued, “Most schools have a student council or NHS [National Honor Society]. Normally, a lot of schools’ student councils would be like their government. So, your class officers…but ours is the party planning community.”
Five officers meet on Wednesdays before the full meetings on Thursdays to plan the meeting and discuss the future activities/events so that when they do regroup with everyone, they have a plan. Normally, they work in separate groups for different goals. For example, the media group works with the videos, or one group prepares for the prep rally while another group does the decorations.
Members typically find student council personally meaningful due to the fact that they worked very hard during the acceptance process. This group matters to the school because it plays a big role in the student environment and atmosphere.
Cadence Rhoads ‘28 twists tissue paper to create an illusion of waves. Student council used tissue paper ribbon in creative ways to prepare for the homecoming dance. Their goal was that as students walked in, they would experience an overwhelming feeling of amazement.
Natalie Raff ‘26 uses tulle to create more of an underwater scene and accentuate the theme of the 2026 dance. The theme of the dance was “Under the Sea,” inspired by three to four student council members. They came to this decision when student council met during the summer to discuss themes for Homecoming. They decided which one would do better and one everyone can agree on.
Riley Ripchenski ‘26 sets up with ribbon paper. Members used the paper to create something similar to jellyfish or octopus tentacles. This added creativity to the theme “Under the Sea” as the students walked in and saw that student council put in effort to decorate for the dance.
An overflowing bucket full of colorful tulle spilled out on the ground as students picked through it to choose the pieces they wanted to hang up. Members used the tulle to drape across the wall to create an underwater feeling. They hung these over the black tarps on the wall to make the colors’ vibrancy pop.
Damien Long ‘26 sets up string lights in the Uyeda gym from side to side. The gym was used for playing games, and a photo booth was set up inside. The gym had a blue light cast, while the string lights gave an underwater bubble appearance.
Evan Harner ‘27 and Meredith Heller ‘27 set up black plastic tarp. One of the upperclassmen came up with this idea because the black underneath all the details make them stand out more. If the decorations were just on the school walls they would just blend in and wouldn’t create the look they were hoping for.
