Seaford Student Leaders Promote School Spirit

Press release from SyntaxNY:

May 21, 2020

While hallways and classrooms usually filled with “Seaford Pride” are empty during the COVID-19
pandemic, Seaford High School’s student council officers are continuing to make sure that school spirit stays strong.

Virtual spirit days are a way that all members of the Seaford High School community can share their pride together. In different photo challenges, students are encouraged to post certain pictures on their Instagram stories and tag the student government account, @seafordhighschoolstuco. Past challenges have included pictures from the first day of school and the fall pep rally, participation in sports or extracurricular activities, wearing green and white and more. Treasurer Ben Trink noted that it is a way to keep the memories alive that Seaford students made this year.

Student government also made sure that students and teachers are staying connected. Teachers created Flipgrid videos to show what they have done and say what they have learned during the school closure, which student government shared with students in an enewsletter. On May 8, student government returned the favor with their own video for Teacher Appreciation Week with messages of thanks for Seaford High School teachers. President Katelyn Winter said it was a “gift to touch their hearts.”

Another Flipgrid video project brought together all student government leaders – the student council officers who represent all 720 students at Seaford High School and class officers for each grade level, as well as the advisers. Their videos included messages of support and lessons learned over the first two months of the school closure.

“The main message was an appreciation for what they have,” said teacher Tania Cintorio, who advises student government with Shari Raduazzo.

Ms. Cintorino added that a major role of student government is community service, and there is no better service right now that helping students stay connected. Everyone looks for leadership in times of uncertainty and Seaford High School’s student council leaders have risen to the occasion, she explained.

Vice President Hailey Galison said that student government is also working a slideshow for the end of the year, asking students from all grades to submit photos that were taken throughout the school year from various events, activities and daily life at Seaford High.

“It will remind everyone that while these times are different, we did have a nice school year,” Hailey said. “We have to remember to be grateful for everything that happened during our time in Seaford.”

The student government officers have lots of great memories from the school year. Katelyn recalls
spirit week in the days leading up to the pep rally, while Hailey and Ben say their last concert on the Seaford High School stage was very memorable. Secretary Kate McClernon said student council’s charitable endeavors stand out for her, particularly the holiday toy drive.

Katelyn noted that while they might not be in school, it is important to remember that the school year is not over, and they still remain classmates.

“During this time, it’s important to have a lot of school spirit,” she said, noting that a decade from now the Class of 2020 will be remembered for overcoming obstacles to still have a special end to senior year.

This press release was produced by SyntaxNY. The views expressed here are the author's own.