EXPANDED STUDENT COUNCIL READY FOR YEAR

President Josh Tomlin is confident his 2000-2001 Jackson High School Student Council will be a successful group.

"I love them," he said days after the StuCo was fleshed out with the addition of 14 new student representatives. "This is a great bunch. We have fun but work real hard, which is what high school is supposed to be about."

Six representatives for the incoming junior and senior classes are elected at the close of the school year, along with officers. In the fall four additional representatives are added for the upperclassmen, while all six sophomore reps are elected.

"We couldn't get a whole lot going until we got all the reps in place," said Tomlin, who felt that any major decisions needed the input of the full body of representatives.

The rest of the officers are Vice President Todd Shelton, Secretary Casey Thompson, Treasurer Wendy Blankenship, Historian Amanda Gould and PR Coordinator Maggie Martin.

"I think this will be a really good group," said Sarah Nussbaum, StuCo sponsor. "I believe they'll have a good year."

"We have big things planned," Tomlin said. "I've known some of these people my whole life. Some I'm just now meeting, but I can tell they're great people."

One of the council's biggest programs this year will be "Bears for Boo-boos," a program that collects stuffed animals for emergency personnel to give frightened or injured children after fires or wrecks. StuCo members will collect bears and other stuffed toys at various times, including football games. (Fee admission will be given in exchange for a stuffed animal.) A bow will be added to toys before they are passed on.

The council also has eight groups, each assigned to a kindergarten class.

"We do activities with the kids, playing games, going on field trips," Tomlin said. "They really look up to us. We want to show them that StuCo is a great way to get involved."

The annual Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner will be held Dec. 12 in the JHS cafeteria. Door prizes, trivia games and live entertainment will accompany a free meal, donated by school cooks.

The group will also take part in a Student Council exchange. On Oct. 19 Jackson StuCo members will spend a day at Dexter High School, while Dexter members will be at Jackson.

In addition, the StuCo will help plan Spirit Week, leading up to Homecoming Oct. 13. (The dance is Oct. 14). Members also work concession stands at home sporting events."

"My goal is to see more school spirit," Tomlin said. "We have a lot of apathy at school. I can understand some of it, but a little spirit wouldn't hurt."

He also hopes to see school organizations work more closely together for common goals.

"Student Council does a lot of work for the community -- a lot of work behind the scenes that doesn't get noticed," he said. "I think we have a great StuCo. I'm excited. We have a lot of big plans, so be looking for us."

Senior representatives are Corey Bohnert, Lacy Hodo, Tressa Honaas, Meredith Lape, Carrie Oberle, Emily Wessell and Jason Brown. Junior reps are Sara Davie, Kassi Littlepage, Melissa Sander, Dana Wright, Autumn Clardy, Jennifer Goodwin, Matt Gordon, Pat Kohm, Kelli Niswonger and Jennifer Watkins. Sophomores are Mitchell Casteel, Sam Gregg, Kristen Howard, Stuart Knowlan, Matt Litz, Stuart McIntosh, Mandy Phelps, Natalie Profilet, Paige Pylate and Jessica Wilkinson.

Senior Class officers are President Matt Proffer, Vice President Joe Walter, Secretary Amanda Gould and Treasurer Sarah Propst. Junior Class officers are President Pete Ressler, Vice President Doug Ludwig, Secretary Kassi Lynn and Treasurer Luke Wade. Sophomore Class officers are President Matt McComas, Vice President Ashley Dost, Secretary Charles Flint and Treasurer Brandon Lohmeier.