Sometimes, learning to be a leader can feel terrifying. People often have questions about the approach they should take when they step up to the microphone for the first time or want to make a lasting impression on their peers. People may also often ask, how do I gain people’s trust? How do I make people listen to what I have to say?
Sometimes, becoming a leader begins with observing other leaders. Seeing how they interact with others and watching them focus on creating a supportive environment help create that lasting impact that they may hope to leave on people.
Though Hingham’s Student Council provides many opportunities to learn the ropes of gaining trust and becoming a role model such as the frequent workshops, volunteer opportunities, guest speakers, and many more, one opportunity rises to truly unite the club and affirm many of Hingham’s leaders. HHS STUCO’s annual trip the spring SEMASC (Southeastern Massachusetts Association of Student Councils) conference tackles this paralyzing fear many carry and provides incredible opportunities for the younger generation of highschoolers to learn the fundamental importances of rising above and becoming a leader. This year, the conference was held at Attleboro High School with over 700 participants from different chapters of Student Council from schools in southeast Massachusetts.
Upon arriving, many students remarked on the grandeur of the hosting highschool. As soon as we walked in, the loud, music filled environment left many in awe as we took in the newly rebuilt Attleboro highschool with an impressive four floors. Almost immediately, we were ushered into the auditorium where the executive board members of SEMASC broke out into several repeat after me songs and chants to popular songs to remind the participants of the welcoming environment SEMASC strives to create. Because we were in the auditorium listening to many speeches from different candidates, the chants helped break up the time and allowed us to stay focused and engaged.
Afterwards, everyone was split up into workshop groups to practice their leadership abilities and form new connections with people from all different schools in southeastern Massachusetts. The different workshops were given different tasks, but with the same general ideas. For example, many groups focused on issues that would arise within a student council body and the participants were tasked with coming up with a way to combat the problems and find solutions. Questions included, “You and the Student Council are hosting an event that needs to sell 150 tickets to happen, it’s the day before and you’ve only sold 50. What do you do to sell tickets?” These prompts force students to think deeply about what it means to be a leader and collaborate with people they only just met to think on their feet and encourage problem solving abilities.
SEMASC has a different purpose and meaning to everyone who attends. Whether it be working on their leadership skills, practicing the chants and dances, or simply having fun, most everyone who attends finds the experience to be worthwhile. Hingham STUCO member Taylor Ferrante
Commented, “This is my first SEMASC and it was a little bit hard to get used to because there are a lot of traditions and things that I don’t know, but it’s fun. I am meeting new people and doing a lot of networking, and it is a good environment.” Others like Student Council Publicity Coordinator Olivia Dorn share this same sentiment. Olivia remarked, “SEMASC is such a fun experience to meet new people and make connections with people from other towns who are open minded and a part of STUCO.”
Overall, the Hingham Student Council students had an amazing time meeting new people and experiencing the passed down traditions of SEMASC with many of them having participated for the first time. For many, this experience was an amazing opportunity to break out of the paralyzing fear of public speaking or standing up to lead a group of people.
