Windham student to serve on Maine Association of Student Councils

Windham High School sophomore Brooklynn Hennigar
has been named as the Southern Maine Representative 
to the Maine Association of Students Council's
executive board. PHOTO BY HOLDEN ANDERSON   

By Elizabeth Richards

Brooklynn Hennigar has been part of the Windham High School student council since her freshman year. This year, the WHS sophomore will expand her involvement to the state level by serving as the Southern Maine Representative to the Maine Association of Student Council's executive board.

Hennigar said she joined the WHS student council last year because she enjoys hearing what others have to say. Her involvement is a big aspect of who she is, she said. Being chosen to participate at the state level took her by surprise, she said.

“I’m very excited to see where this takes me. I’m so blessed and overwhelmed that I don’t even know what to say,” she said.

Having a voice is important to Hennigar.

“I feel that everyone should have a voice and they should be heard at all times,” she said. “I feel very honored to be a part of my student council and have a voice for the sophomore [class].”

While becoming involved on the state level is a little overwhelming, she said, “I’m very excited to take on this challenge.” Being part of the executive board will allow her to show leadership and bring others together, she said, “It’s amazing where this whole community can come together and become one,” she said. “I can’t wait to see a change in schools becoming more active.”

Hennigar’s future plans include attending a four-year college and then obtaining a master’s degree in pediatric nursing. This opportunity to serve at the state level is something she feels could help her to reach those goals.

“I am very fortunate to become part of something that could really help me out in the future, with
colleges and jobs,” she said.

The state board will currently meet via Zoom because of the pandemic, Hennigar said. There is typically a state conference in May, and she’s hopeful they’ll be able to meet in person then.

Maine Principals’ Association Executive Director for the Professional Division, Holly Couturier, said that as the Southern Maine Representative, Hennigar will be responsible for reaching out to member schools in Southern Maine to inform them of statewide events the board has planned, as well as organizing regional events as desired by the schools.

“During the regional meetings, schools will have the opportunity to come together – virtually this year of course – and talk about what they are each doing in their individual councils. This sharing of ideas is exceptionally helpful to others so that they can ask questions and then try things to improve student leadership and school spirit in their respective schools,” Couturier said.

Serving on the executive board will also give Hennigar a strong voice in planning the statewide Student Leadership Convention which brings together more than 500 students from all over the state, Couturier said.

The Maine Association of Student Councils is sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association. According to the Student Council page on the MAP website, the association provides guidance for student councils at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

“Membership provides your school access to workshops, meetings, information, and the opportunity to communicate with fellow student councils,” wrote Couturier in a letter posted to the page.

“I’m very excited to see what the State of Maine has for the next coming year,” Hennigar said. After her first meeting, she said “It looks like it’s going to be a very interesting year. I love all the people who are on the board with me, they’re very nice, positive and respectful. I’m very much looking forward to working with them.

“I feel as a state that we are very special,” Hennigar said. “We should be working as one to become a better state. I feel that it’s very important, going through a pandemic, we should be coming together to work as one,” she said. <

Student groups coordinate effort supporting families in need for holidays

By Elizabeth Richards

In a year where more families than ever may be struggling to provide a holiday celebration for their families, the honor societies and Student Council at Windham High School are pulling together to give back to the community.

“All of the honor societies like to give back during the season,” said Katy Dresnok, coordinator for the French Honor Society at WHS.

Five different organizations at Windham High
School, including the honor societies and student
council are teaming up to collect donations to
sponsor families in need in the area this 
Christmas season. FILE PHOTO  

Because of COVID, she said, making connections is harder this year. Although clubs are connecting online, they aren't meeting in person, and activities they've done in the past aren't a possibility this year.  

“The kids still want to do something, and give back somehow,” Dresnok said.

As the student groups thought about what that might be, Dresnok said, they realized that a lot of people are having a hard time this year.

Initially, she said, she approached David Dyke, coordinator for the Latin Honor Society and Elizabeth Bubier, coordinator for the Spanish Honor Society with the idea to do something together. The idea was then expanded to include Windham High School’s National Honor Society and the WHS Student Council as well.

The end result is a joint effort among the five groups. They decided to get it out to the public, as well to get as many people as possible involved.

“People want to help, they just don’t know how,” Dresnok said.

For this effort, each school group will coordinate donations to support a different family from Windham or Raymond during the holidays.  With the help of monetary donations from the community, they’ll support at least five families.

“It went from a little thing to a big thing,” Dresnok said.  

The goal is to collect $1,000, which will provide food items, gifts, and a gift card to Hannaford so families can purchase their desired main entrée for their holiday dinner.

Each club will collect and purchase donations according to a list of needs provided by the school social worker, Doug Daigle, who will then get the packages to the families.

Any donations received that exceed the need for the five selected families will either be used to extend the effort to more families or donated to a community program to help people in need, Dresnok said.

Any excess food donations will be donated to a local food pantry.

Dresnok said they all feel fortunate to be living in Maine, and able to go to school at least part time.  At the same time, she said, they realize that a lot of people are struggling. 

“It feels really good to help people, even if we don’t know who we’re helping,” she said. 

Dresnok appreciates the fact that the students are doing something for others, and they love it too, she said.

“They always go big…the kids are super generous, and this is a way for them to do something for the benefit of the community.”

Monetary donations will be accepted until Dec. 17, which will allow for time to assemble and deliver the items, Dresnok said. 

An account is set up at WHS for people to donate to student activities. 

For this effort, anyone wishing to donate can go to https://rsu14.androgov.com  and select student activities, noting WHS Holiday Fundraising Campaign in the payment description area.

Checks can be sent as well, made out to Windham High School, with Holiday Fundraising Campaign noted on the memo line. <