JHS STUDENT LEADERS FACE ISSUES; STUDENTS HOPE ADULTS DON'T JUDGE TEENS UNFAIRLY

Twelve Jackson High School student leaders met last week with the USA Signal. While the idea of holding this forum predated the Littleton, Colo. and Georgia school crises and this fall's local controversies, these events lent extra significance to the meeting.

"I think the community has kind of a bad outlook on the way teenagers act and that they kind of stereotype the way we act," said Mary Bono, president of the Jackson Acting Motivators, a club that presents skits to younger students on various problems they may face. "I think we should do something (to try to change that) this year. I think this publicity is good for our school, to show the rest of the community that teenagers are more than what they think we are."

"There have been some events that have been publicized a lot in the last month or so that have given our school a bad rap," agreed Tim Nicolai, president of Drama Club. "I think it's really stupid for people to generalize about the behavior of every student in the school from the actions of just a few."

The dozen students, presidents of most of the leading clubs and organizations on campus, agreed that there are issues to be addressed in the community and at the school. Overall, though, the students presented a very positive slant on the issues facing them.

"I think Jackson is a really good community that really stands together," said Maggie Martin, president of the Spanish Club and a co-editor of The Squawler, "but being a small town, they spread rumors and that's the main problem. Being so close-knit, everybody knows everybody else and that's how the rumors start."

"I think in general, our community is very supportive of our school, supporting athletic events, and (supporting it) anytime we want to make improvements to the school," said Marci Myracle, president of Peer Tutors.

"When we have a bond issue come up to raise taxes for a new school, Jackson is almost always counted on (to pass it)," Bono agreed. "Unlike other places, Jackson is always willing to put out a little more for a new building or to fund something for us."

All 12 of the participating students (primarily seniors) have been active throughout high school in their organizations, as well as student government, athletics and other extracurricular activities. Most are honor students and all expressed appreciation for the level of commitment displayed by the JHS faculty.

"The school's strong point would probably be all the time that the teachers donate toward Jackson," said Josh Pfefferkorn, president of the Future Business Leaders of America, both on a local and state level. "They do an unbelievable amount for our school They're willing to put in any extra time that you need and they're always of great assistance."

"I know several students who have moved here," said Jeni Zinner, Student Council and student body president. "They tell me the whole feeling of the teachers is different here because the teachers actually care about what they're teaching."

Julie Gerecke, French Club president, was quick to second Zinner's thought.

"We have a French foreign exchange student, Lucy Lambert. She just can't believe how close the students here in Jackson are with their teachers," Gerecke said. "She said in France it's more like college. You know their name and they MIGHT know your name."

The student leaders were also quick to support the R-2 administration as one open to ideas and accessible to the student body.

"The administration is really open to a bunch of stuff," Nicolai said. "They're always improving the school, whether it be by beautifying the area between the band building and the new building, putting in picnic tables or the auditorium renovation. We're always doing something new to improve the school."

"I also agree that we have a good administration, in the sense that they're always open to ideas and they're never hesitant to let you come into their office and talk about any problems or concerns or things that you'd like to see accomplished," Pfefferkorn said. "That open-minded attitude makes Jackson a great school."

"I think everybody watches out for everybody else," Bono said. "I think the administration watches out for the teachers and the teachers watch out for the students and the students watch out for each other. I think we all are really close-knit."

While still close-knit, the school system is growing. Its own reputation continues to draw more families into the R-2 district. The size of the school (now over 1,000 students in grades 10-12) is not necessarily a bad thing, though.

"I think that, as a student, you have more opportunities to do different activities and more classes," said Greg Meier, president of the Future Farmers of America.

"I agree, we have a whole lot of opportunities at Jackson that a lot of other schools may not have, because of their size," Martin said. "The administration works, letting us have as many opportunities as we can."

"Jackson is awesome because of the good people we have here and their involvement in school and their caring about other kids and their community," Zinner said.