The gym is loud, the lights are low and the crowd is waiting for celebration to take the stage. But the thing that rarely crosses these students’ minds is how the student council spent weeks deciding what this event would look like.
“There are four seasons of student council, and the biggest one for us is spirit,” senior Meg Trob, executive board member, said.
With five seasons of focus, spirit, service, shine and celebrate, these students work to uplift students and boost overall school spirit.
During the spirit season, the different grades work together to make decisions about various homecoming events. As the student body eagerly anticipates themes and dress-up days, the student council members focus on the less visible details that bring those ideas to life.
“We plan the homecoming dance, spirit days and the assembly—it’s a lot more than people think,” Trob said.
Behind every decision, however, is a larger purpose.
“Anytime we approach anything in student council, we ask ourselves the question: why?” Student Activities Director, Mrs. Jen Uliks, said. “The goal is really to bring all of our students together in one community and celebrate.”
Beyond setting the themes for football spirit days, the council’s impact can be seen throughout the school. Guided by their acronym M.O.D.E (Make Ordinary Days Extraordinary), student council members also work to improve everyday life.
“Sometimes you’ll see us doing little things in between, not just the big events,” Mrs. Uliks said. “How can we take ordinary days and make them just a little bit better?”
Whether it’s handing out treats at the main entrance, organizing small games or creating second-period videos, these efforts aim to make students feel more connected.
“Having students involved in planning the fun parts of school makes it a better place for everyone,” Trob said.
Another important season the student council participates in is service. Each grade takes on its own project, while the council as a whole organizes larger initiatives to support the community.
“Last year, we collected around 17,000 cans for the Libertyville Food Pantry,” Trob said.
Beyond individual events, the student council’s broader mission is to shape the overall school environment.
“Student council is about building a positive climate and culture,” Mrs. Uliks said. “How can we help kids feel like they belong [and] that they have a place here?”
That impact is already tangible. From the decorations in the halls to the spirit in the air, students are more excited to be involved in school spirit.
“We’ve seen participation in events really skyrocket,” Mrs. Uliks said. “More students want to get involved than ever before.”
Still, creating such an environment can be challenging, especially for members of the student council.
“I think the hardest part is that some students try to be too cool to participate,” Trob said. “You have to get people interested, even when they don’t really care.”
Even when facing criticism, members of this organization continue their work. They remain excited about the school day and about their peers.
“Sometimes they get a bad rap—people say spirit days are stupid or the dance was lame,” Mrs. Uliks said. “But at the end of the day, it’s just a group of students who want the best for their school.”
And while most students only see the final product—the packed gym, the decorations, the excitement—student council remains behind the scenes, turning ordinary days into moments worth remembering.
