Platform

The Student Council aims to foster leadership in four elected individuals who, through the conceptualization and implementation of various projects, uphold the image of the school by exemplifying its Core Values. The Reedley Core Value of Family is amply demonstrated on a day-to-day basis, in that we, the Council Officers, help and cooperate with one another and the entire school community. The second Core Value, Nurture, is also evident – we are encouraged to grow and persevere through any difficulties within the guiding, comforting walls of Reedley. In requiring investment of a lot of time and effort in its activities, participation in the Student Council necessitates and, slowly but surely, builds the third Reedley Core Value of Self-Discipline. It also compels us to think and plan ahead, set goals and deadlines and compromise time otherwise spent invested in other pursuits. Finally, active involvement in the Student Council requires us to step out of our comfort zones and confront our weaknesses whilst simultaneously capitalizing on our strengths, thus exhibiting the fourth Reedley Core Value of Self-Actualization. And, by effectively enforcing the four Core Values that constitute the solid foundation on which our school is based, Reedley challenges us with a most basic, yet vital, question – What makes a Good Reesian? – and leaves us to find the answers out both for, and within, ourselves.

The Responses:

1. Dennis Kim, Student Council President

2. Chino Hernandez, Student Council Vice President

1. My name is Chino Hernandez, I'm 16 years old and I'm very happy to be part of the Student Council this year and I cherish it a lot. I'm a very serious film buff, and one day I'd like to be a renowned Hollywood director who has contributed a lot to the movie world. I'd like to be a future student in the UP, where I will study film, before I go to a film school and move to New York City to begin my career. I like doing work for the school and enjoy every bit of it. I enjoy Council, and serving and doing things for a school hasn't ever been so fun for me.

2. I was prompted to join Council because it’s very inspiring to me. Not only am I doing service to my school and the students in it, but it inspires me to be greater. Like get higher grades and achieve a certain level of academic proficiency that would hopefully would get me into a good college. I also enjoyed being in the Council last year as the Secretary, and doing it again is really fun. I love Council and I love Reedley.

3. My favorite thing about being in the Council is probably being able to join mostly all school events. Not only being invited to them, but because I'm planning them as well. There's nothing better than going to a fun school event and there's nothing more rewarding than seeing HARD WORK become successful.

4. Council has totally re-shaped me not only as a leader, but also a person. I see things more clearly and I tackle things in a better light. Like now I would be more organized, more hands-on, more cheerful, and this is because Council has altered my perception towards life in general. I've rediscovered how to handle things and people and I know how to do things better. I'm really proud of that.

5. Reedley, no matter if it’s a year ahead or a decade later, will always have my helping hand. I don't care what it is, but I'm surely there to help and tag along. I dedicate myself to service and I will do whatever I am capable to do what Reedley offers me.

3. Joanna Florento, Student Council Secretary

1. Reading is my passion, and I love to STUDY! Nothing makes me happier than a good book. I harbor a voracious thirst for learning, and I love to WRITE. I love to dream, and I strive to make these dreams a reality. Helping others makes me happy. I am a GEEK and a GLOBETROTTER. Someday I want to see (more of) the world.

2. A sense of duty, as well as responsibility to give back to the school that had given me so much, were the two main things that had prompted me to join the Council. I wanted my chance to shoulder responsibility and experience leadership on a schoolwide scale.

3. I love how the Council challenges me to always stay on top of my game; the teamwork (and legwork!) involved has allowed me to meet so many wonderful new people and surpass numerous hurdles along the way, for which I am very grateful.

4. The Council taught me a lot about task delegation - I'd never really been one to assign tasks to others before, wanting to avoid confrontation if they shared conflicting opinions and prefering to complete the task myself. In my participation in the Student Council I learned to trust others and to avoid spreading myself too thin.

5. I can continue to serve Reedley by rising above any setbacks I may encounter and always performing my duties to the best of my ability. I want to emerge from my extra-curriculars this year a more organized, well-rounded person who will successfully lead the school to greatness.

4. Tasha Mendoza, Student Council Treasurer

1. I'm a simple girl when you first get to know me and then you slowly realize how crazy I can get when you get to know me more, which people find really funny because of my petite size. However, with my crazy moments aside, I am very normal with the usual dream of having a happy and successful life.

2. I decided to join Council as a step out of my box. I usually stopped myself from taking big steps because of fear, but decided it was time to throw aside the fear that would hold me back from many things in life.

3. My favorite thing about being in Council would have to be being able to meet people that I probably wouldn’t meet if I weren’t in it.

4. Being in Council has definitely been helpful with developing my leadership skills. It has taught me to be patient and has given me more chances to practice communication skills.

5. I can continue to serve Reedley for the rest of the year by doing what is expected of me and possibly trying to go beyond Council and do more.

Activities for S.Y. 08-09
The Council’s activities have been extensive this year, spanning from summer training from April to June to the Parol Campaign underway this December. First on the roster of events was the New Students’ Party, which took place in our very own Lee Kuan Yew Hall on the 21st of June. Second was the Oath-Taking Ceremony, in which the Student Council was officially received by the Reedley Community as they recited and accepted their responsibilities under formal oath. Atty. Romero Federico Quimbo, Chief Executive Officer of the Pag-IBIG Fund, graced the occasion by briefing the students and faculty on the essence of effective leadership.

The Council then focused its efforts on the annual spectacles that showcased the teamwork and performance skills of each class - the Batch Dinners! First up was the '80s-themed Sophomore Batch Dinner, kicking off in the LKY Hall on August 8. It was immediately followed by the Seniors' Batch Dinner on September 19 at Alexandra, one pulsing, glowing night in brilliant shades of neon. The Juniors' Batch Dinner glorified its namesake - the Roaring '20s - with all its laughter, style and polished elegance. Finally, the Freshmen capped this year's set of Batch Dinners as they returned to the Lee Kuan Yew Hall on October 26 for a night of fright and fantasy at their Halloween-themed extravaganza.

The school year's events were in full swing when the Council returned for the Leadership Training Seminar on August 23. Teachers and Class Officers alike gathered to build their leadership skills and realize their roles in representing both their respective classes and the school to the best of their abilities. Of course, no LTS would be complete without its complement - the yearly Leadership Training Camp was held at the Pontefino Hotel in Batangas from November 21 -22. Packed with challenging games, informative lectures and exciting competitions, the LTC successfully brought the Reedley Officers' grasp of the principles and application of leadership full circle.

Korean Week commenced on November 28 and concluded on December 5. As a fundraiser for RTV, the Council has been sponsoring a Korean Week Food Booth, which has been selling a delicious variety of Korean snacks. Simultaneously, the Council has been active in its annual Parol Campaign - an event which, through the spirited sale of ornamental, star-shaped lanterns, always marks the cheerful approach of both Christmas and the coming year.