by Katie Hyde

A Leadership Team composed of class officers, Student Community Organization officers and the administration gathered for its first meeting Aug. 30.

According to president Nan Bone, who led the meeting along with principal for academic affairs Barbara McCormick and principal for student affairs Mary Anne Hoecker, this team will meet monthly to discuss relevant STA issues such as class and school unity, the Chapel of St. Joseph, clubs, the importance of service at STA and the scheduling system.

When Bone first began working as president of STA, she had what she called a “cabinet” that met regularly to discuss elements of the school. However, over time, the meetings decreased in frequency and eventually stopped all together. Bone hopes the Leadership Team will recreate the communication of the cabinet.

While speaking about her goals for the team at the meeting, Bone stressed the importance of leadership.

“Think about your job as strategic planning and visionary leaders,” Bone said to the 17 students gathered. “What do you want to make sure you leave as seniors? That St. Teresa’s always looks out for the welfare of our students and produces students that are well-rounded. So as you begin to think about your job as a leadership team, please try not to concentrate on individual things. As leaders you have to have a little more vision.”

The administration also encouraged student members to share their ideas about purpose of the team.

“Just giving more students opportunities to get involved [is important],” SCO president Katie Evans said. “Girls love to get involved in school, so if we give them more opportunities to do that, [STA] will be even better.”

Students and administrators agreed on the importance of communication between the student body and the administration and between grade levels.

Beginning this communication between grades levels was a discussion about class unity introduced by junior class president Elaine Schmidt. Junior class officers from the 2010-2011 school year Celia O’Flaherty and Erin Sellers discussed the benefits of a junior class retreat.

“We need to consider ways for us to always be mentoring those freshmen,” Bone said. “That’s so key. We do the passing of the legacy ceremony on the first day and that’s excellent, but we have to continue to mentor them as they continue their journey through St. Teresa’s.”