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City Beat
Students at WGHS want to spend extra cash on school
ASB officers hope to buy new sign for campus entrance
By Kate Carter
Willow Glen High School student leaders got a pleasant surprise last spring: They realized they had more money in their account than they needed.
Rather than letting the surplus sit in their coffers, recently elected members of the Associated Student Body chose to try something unprecedented.
At a February meeting, ASB members decided to put the money into improving their school's appearance to increase student pride.
"We knew that we wanted to make a big difference this year," ASB Vice President Kara Buchanan said.
They said their brainstorming session led to several ideas for making tangible improvements on campus that would last for years. One proposal was a new marquis sign for the front of the campus.
Student body leaders have about $18,000 they want to use on physical improvements to the school's appearance, Activities Vice Principal Chuck Hernandez said. That would leave an approximately $20,000 base fund in its bank account to be carried over to next year's ASB, he said.
ASB funding comes from programs such as its student store, which generates $30,000 to $40,000 a year, and such events as the homecoming dance, which netted $7,000 last fall, Hernandez said. The organization also receives some public money based on the school's attendance.
The student government uses the money to cover its expenses for dances, rallies and other activities.
Students said the new marquis sign is a priority, because it is the first thing people see when they enter the campus on Cottle Avenue. The marquis has the school's name and has space to announce upcoming academic, athletic or social events.
ASB leaders said the 12-foot-tall sign will replace the existing marquis and will include a sketch of the school's ram mascot drawn by art teacher Jef Wind.
The sign will carry a $7,000 price tag. Students said it will take about three months to build, and that they're hoping they can have it ready before graduation in June.
ASB members still aren't sure what they will do with the remaining $11,000. They said they are considering helping to fund a sand volleyball court on campus or perhaps a second radio system for sports events. Other aesthetic improvements they have in mind include inexpensive painting and landscaping projects that students can do in exchange for community service hours. Students are required to complete 40 hours of service before they can graduate. This year's seniors are exempted from this requirement because it went into effect after they began high school.
Student leaders said they have worked hard to bring people together and improve the atmosphere at school. They said they believe these physical investments will help support the other work they have done to involve more students in increased club activities and in the decision-making process for student events.
"We want to get as many kids involved in the school as we can," ASB Treasurer Allison Lake said.
They said they are happy and proud to attend Willow Glen High, and they believe they are getting a good education there, even if some parents and other adults don't agree.
"Our biggest goal has been to get people to come together," Buchanan said. "This gives them pride in something in common. They are all cheering the same team."
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
