Gainesville High School Student Government:

What makes the Gainesville High School Activities Program special?  Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary says it’s readily distinguishable from others of the same category:  exceptional; extraordinary.  P.T. Barnum, the famed circus leader, established the saying, “Make it big, do it right, give it class and wrap it with love.”   What does this have to do with our co-curricular programs here at GHS?  As spring approaches, we have many special programs happening at Gainesville High School.  Our students and faculty create unique activities that add to our school’s over all activities program on a monthly basis.  Each GHS organization is charged with creating their own special occasion, so we wish to share a few of those with you.

Making a Difference, As We Stand.  Black History Month will be celebrated for the thirty fifth year at GHS during the month of February.  Jon Singleton, GHS junior, won this year’s poetry contest, addressing the differences that African American youth make in our society.  The student body will be presented with a special assembly on Friday, February 8 during period five.  The program will consist of GHS’s own Gospel Choir, a slide show depicting historical African American leaders, presentation of Jon’s poem and guest speaker, Mrs. Vivian Filer.  There will also be an opportunity for all students’s to guess African American firsts in our nation, and those winners will receive special gift certificates to local restaurants.  The month celebration will terminate with a special presentation of the UF African Drumming group, directed by Dr. Mohamed DaCosta.

Although GHS students are high schoolers, they still look forward to the Valentine traditions that are shared with family, friends and faculty.  Our GHS traditions will continue with our love-connection questionnaire, Mr. and Mrs. Casanova, candy grams and the annual February 14th blood drive and wearing of pink, white and red. Love-Connection questionnaires were filled out on Friday, February 1, during period one for those interested at no charge.  The company matches students with their interests and hobbies to produce a most compatible list.  The list may be purchased for $1.00 from February 11-15 at lunch outside of the cafeteria.  On February 12, girls will receive a red heart in period one, which they may give to their favorite fellow on campus.  The young man with the most hearts at the end of the day becomes Mr. Casanova and receives a special box of candy. On February 13, boys will receive a pink heart in period one, which they may give to their favorite gal on campus.  The young lady with the most hearts at the end of the day becomes Ms. Casanova and receives a special box of candy. Valentines Day, February 14 allows our students a chance to wear their pink, white and red clothing and an opportunity to give true love, the gift of blood.  In order to give blood, you must sign up in your English class, Feb. 4-8, be at least 17, weigh 100 lbs. or more and have a picture i.d. 

As spring is upon us, recycling is a key word.  With this in mind, Student Government is sponsoring the annual phone book recycling program. We would appreciate all phone books from your homes and businesses, which will be taken to the County Recycling Center, which will be converted to other materials.  Deadline for receiving phone books is April 1.  If you have any questions, please contact Hunter White at Huntersixty@aol.com.

The 2008 Prom will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the J Wayne Reitz Union from 8 p.m. until midnight and promises to be spectacular!  Tickets are limited, so we encourage our juniors and seniors to purchase theirs quickly.  All tickets go on sale February 26 at lunch in the ticket window in the main auditorium:  Feb. 26 – March 7 Juniors - $40.00, Seniors - $10.00,  March 10 – March 21 Juniors - $45.00 and Seniors stay at $10.00, March 24 – March 28 Juniors - $50.00 and Seniors stay at @10.00, March 31 – April 4 Juniors stay at $50.00 and Seniors - $15.00, April 7 – 11, Juniors - $55.00 and Seniors - $15.00, April 14 – April 18 Juniors - $60.00 and Seniors - $20.00.  Non senior guest’s tickets are junior prices.  If you have any questions, please e mail Junior Sponsor, Ms. Kerri Ward at Wardkp@gm.sbac.edu.

The senior class is invited to attend this year’s Grad Bash at Orlando Universal and Islands of Adventure on Friday, April 25th, 7 pm-2am.  Tickets will go on sale for seniors only in Mrs. Ried’s room on February 4-8.  Prices are $60.00, which includes round trip bus fare and entrance into both parks.  If you have any questions, please contact Rieddb@gm.sbac.edu.  There are only 200 tickets.  Depart GHS 5 pm on Friday, April 25 and return GHS 4 a.m. Saturday April 26.   Don’t let your senior miss out on this memorable senior function.

Leader Nation: Team of Champions February 29 – March 2 is right around the corner.  Gainesville High School Student Government continues to work diligently on a convention that will provide the ultimate leadership experience for all of the delegates at the annual Florida Association of Student Councils. The visiting delegates will be staying at the Hilton, Paramount, Marriot and Holiday Inn, while being transported by sixteen school buses over the three days. Student Government has designed workshops and motivational speakers to provide all Florida delegates a way to utilize the leadership of their student councils, to promote involvement of all student populations, establish frameworks for developing and implementing student-directed projects and give recommendations for leadership and involvement to nonelected students. Our conference will provide over forty eight different workshops from high school, university and community leaders.  Motivational speakers include Superintendent Dr. W.D. Boyd, Principal Wiley Dixon, Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, Danny Harris – “Coco Brown”, Song Writer, Movie Star and Former GHS Student Body President, Andrew Gillum – Tallahassee City Commissioner, former Tallahassee Mayor and GHS Student Body Vice President, Bob Carnagey – Chicago Business Entrepreneur, Coach Mary Wise and Coach Urban Meyer.  There will be special appearances by members of Sister Hazel, The Chris McCarty Band, Jacare Brazil and the African Drummers, UF’s modern dance group – “The Mod Project,” UF Cheerleaders, The Dazzlers, Albert and Alberta, the GHS Jazz Band, GHS dance Troupe – Hurricane Force and the GHS Cheerleaders.  Events will take place on the GHS campus, Natural History Museum and Butterfly Museum, the Performing Arts Center and the Reitz Union. There are forty nine working student committees, along with forty four parent volunteers, thirty nine GHS staff, Gainesville community service groups: The Lion’s club, Kiwanis, Rotary and our own GHS Parent Boosters, STOMP, Key, Omega and Homerun Club.  It is no wonder that all 800 delegate positions have been filled, with representatives from ninety six high schools that hail from all over the great State of Florida. Our GHS students from Senate, House and the Cambridge program have dedicated themselves to providing this unique leadership experience to other young leaders and it promises to be one the best FASC conferences yet! We hope many of you will join us in our Leader Nation and become part of our Team of Champions. If you wish to assist in any way or need more information, please contact Linda Awbrey at Awbreylb@gm.sbac.edu.

As we move to the season of welcoming and recruiting next year’s freshman class at Gainesville High School, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what a diverse, focused, service oriented Student Body that we have and the wonderful things that they do for our campus and community.  As you read the daily paper or watch the evening news, it does not take long to realize that our young people are facing many challenges, which could make them overwhelmed and discouraged by the problems they face.  Our solution at GHS, through our co curricular activities is to encourage our young people to take action, and the good news is that our Hurricanes are up to the challenge.  With forty three active organizations on campus, our students have the chance to make a  significant difference.  The benefits of youth service whether at GHS or in the community extend far beyond the acts themselves.  Through service, young people learn important lessons of tolerance, altruism, and civic action that shape them into productive adults.  As a result of student service through National Honor Society, Kappa, Key Club, Omega, International, American Health Professions, FBLA, STOMP, Science Club – just to name a few – the GHS community unites and grows stronger.  Every year I am at GHS, I am amazed at how Gainesville High School students from all walks of life know how to make a difference, demonstrate caring behavior and are aware of the needs of others.  On a daily basis, many GHS students show personal responsibility through volunteering, leadership, and service in such school projects as food drives, mentoring, ecological and educational programs that contribute to the larger society around us.  Our students not only show responsibility, but also possibility of a bright future for all.  I know many of you join me, when I say, “I am so proud to be a Hurricane.”

-Linda Awbrey

GHS Activities Director

HOUSE MINUTES

-What is House

-Black history Week

                    -Making a Difference, As We Stand.  Black History Month will be celebrated for the thirty fifth year at GHS during the month of February.  Jon Singleton, GHS junior, won this year's poetry contest, addressing the differences that African American youth make in our society.  The student body will be presented with a special assembly on Friday, February 8 during period five.  The program will consist of GHS's own Gospel Choir, a slide show depicting historical African American leaders, presentation of Jon's poem and guest speaker, Mrs. Vivian Filer.  There will also be an opportunity for all students's to guess African American firsts in our nation, and those winners will receive special gift certificates to local restaurants.  The month celebration will terminate with a special presentation of the UF African Drumming group, directed by Dr. Mohamed DaCosta

-Love Week

-Dress Up Days

-Although GHS students are high schoolers, they still look forward to the Valentine traditions that are shared with family, friends and faculty.  Our GHS traditions will continue with our love-connection questionnaire, Mr. and Mrs. Casanova, candy grams and the annual February 14th blood drive and wearing of pink, white and red. Love-Connection questionnaires were filled out on Friday, February 1, during period one for those interested at no charge.  The company matches students with their interests and hobbies to produce a most compatible list.  The list may be purchased for $1.00 from February 11-15 at lunch outside of the cafeteria.  On February 12, girls will receive a red heart in period one, which they may give to their favorite fellow on campus.  The young man with the most hearts at the end of the day becomes Mr. Casanova and receives a special box of candy. On February 13, boys will receive a pink heart in period one, which they may give to their favorite gal on campus.  The young lady with the most hearts at the end of the day becomes Ms. Casanova and receives a special box of candy. Valentines Day, February 14 allows our students a chance to wear their pink, white and red clothing and an opportunity to give true love, the gift of blood.  In order to give blood, you must sign up in your English class, Feb. 4-8, be at least 17, weigh 100 lbs.. or more and have a picture i.d. 

-State Conference