Student
politicians emphasize service
Operation donation. Adviser
estimates council members give 350 hours a year.
Sunday, November 13, 2005 • By SARAH CASSI •
The Express-Times
LOPATCONG TWP. | You won't find hallways
filled with "Vote for me" posters and empty promises of
longer lunch times as traits of the student council program
at Lopatcong Middle School.
Instead of campaigns and youthful
electioneering, the student council program is hallmarked by
extensive volunteerism and fundraising for
charities.
Student council adviser Kenney Lutz, a
teacher at the middle school for the past 12 years, created
the program. Lutz said his initial idea was for a simple
student program that would allow the kids to get together a
few days a week.
These days the council program is an
altruistic force in the community.
"I wanted to do something different, to
do something exciting for the kids," said Lutz, 34. "This is
turning into its own special thing."
Lutz estimated the council kids spend
more than 350 hours a year planning, volunteering and
fundraising. Lutz said he spends more than 700 hours of his
own time helping.
Lutz said council members host a lunch
and games every third Saturday at Clymer Village. Twice a
month, the students conduct art classes at two care centers
in the township. This past summer the council sponsored
eight dances at the Lopatcong pool, inviting every middle
school student in Warren County. The last dance raised more
than $1,500, which the council donated to Hurricane Katrina
victims.
Currently, council is running a toy and
teddy bear drive in conjunction with WFMZ Channel 69 for
children in New Orleans. The council will accept toys then
hold a wrapping party before sending them to
Louisiana.
"You can't tell a 3-year-old down in New
Orleans there's no Christmas," said council President Erin
Lauer, a 13-year-old eighth-grader.
Lutz said many members balance council
with school, homework, sports and other after-school
activities.
"They make time for this, and that proves
this is an important thing for them" Lutz said. "The kids
get pushed hard in terms of grades and expectations, but
they deliver."
Lauer balances her council
responsibilities with dance lessons, cheerleading, softball
and traveling as a student ambassador.
"It's a lot to keep up with. You have to
learn to manage your time," Lauer said. "(Council) was just
another thing to get involved with. But once I started, it
became something I wanted to do."
Eighth-grader Tyler Roseberry, 13, said
he got involved because his brother was involved with
student council when he was in middle school.
"It's pretty neat. It's hard, but then
you get used to it," Roseberry said, noting that council
takes up a lot of his time. "It feels good just to help
people out and do things for the community."
The council is open to students in grades
six through eight, and the only application requirements are
a written essay and teacher's signature.
Lutz said the first three or four years
of the program were a learning experience because he had to
hone what the kids were interested in and how much work they
could handle. The club began with 50 students and only four
on the executive board. It now has 192 members and a
26-member executive board.
"I'm satisfied where it's at, but there's
no limit on where it can go," Lutz said. "The kids are the
engine. They'll take us where they want."
Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by
e-mail at scassi@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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