SGA holds first senate meeting

Delegates from all sixth period classes attended the first SGA senate meeting on Friday, October 3. Several important issues were discussed, including safety on University Boulevard, Homecoming themes, new clubs, spirit weeks and pep rallies.

SGA Vice President Alex Berger said that the goal of the meeting was to "discuss policies and actions with student representatives from each class."

Senior Tesfa Haile first addressed the assembly about a "very serious issue." According to Haile, students have been playing "chicken" with cars on University and Colesville—running in front of cars and crossing unsafely. "This may result in [student] death or other serious injury," said Haile.

One of the main goals of the meeting was to approve the 13 clubs that were established this year. In accordance with Blair and SGA policies, all new clubs have to be approved by the SGA Senate before receiving funds from the school. All clubs were required to submit constitutions before the SGA club meeting on September 29. For the first time in the history of the SGA, the senate voted to reject a club.

A narrow majority voted to reject the Strategic Gaming Club, a club aimed at promoting strategy games such as chess and magic. However, according to SGA First Vice President Brian Koss, the Strategic Gaming Club met last year and was therefore "grandfathered in." Koss said that it never should have been voted on in the first place. Senior Jennie Lee voted against the Strategic Gaming Club because, according to her, "Magic cards promote violence."

A minority of the senate voted against the remaining clubs, finding them unnecessary or "stupid," as one senate member yelled after hearing the mission of the new Blair Literary Society for Students. After the first club was voted on, SGA sponsor Rondai Ravilious reminded the senate that clubs do not impose themselves on anyone in any way, but simply exist for those who were interested in them. Overall, 12 of the 13 clubs voted on were approved by the senate and will receive funds from the SGA.

Senior Class President Lynn Favin then discussed the upcoming Homecoming dance and presented several possible themes, including World Peace, an Oscar or MTV awards show theme, Arabian Nights, different dance decades (70s, 80s, etc) and Moonlights and Roses. Members of the senate suggested possible other themes, including a talent show and a fantasy based costume party. According to Favin, the final list of options were distributed to teachers and voted on during sixth period on October 15.

A question was raised about the policy towards freak dancing. The question drew shouts and various remarks from the senate, which was largely dissatisfied with the current policy restricting "inappropriate dancing." Freshman Jonathan Brown yelled "[the SGA] is going to lose another $4000!" According to Favin, the SGA has no control over the freak dancing policy and the administration is responsible for it. "We will not entertain any further questions about the subject," said Koss.

Koss continued the meeting by outline several events that will take place the week before Homecoming. A spirit week will take place from October 20-24, with the Homecoming football game on the October 24 and the Homecoming dance on October 25. The themes for each day have been posted outside of the SAC on Blair Boulevard.

The Powerderpuff game will be held on October 22. Junior and senior girls will face each other in the annual football game. Girls can sign up to play outside of the SGA office in room 161.

The Athletic Pep Rally will be held October 24, the day before the Homecoming dance. Favin asked that people be respectful of the work that the SGA does in order to make the pep rallies successful events. The first pep rally last year was postponed due to inappropriate behavior and many of the decorations were destroyed.

Due to the controversy over pep rallies that occurred last year when the Diva Dancers and other clubs were prohibited from participating in pep rallies, Principal Phillip Gainous has added a pep rally for clubs. "Diva Dancer coach Kryss Lacovaro is coordinating the pep rally, which will include a procession of four members from participating clubs and academic organizations. The Club Pep Rally will be held on November 21.

Also on the agenda were upcoming Halloween festivities. There will be no Halloween dance due to Halloween's proximity to Homecoming, but students are encouraged to participate in the superhero-themed spirit day on Friday, October 31. Koss added that students should "keep it appropriate." The SGA will be selling candy grams on October 31 for $1.

The next SGA senate meeting will be held October 27.