In the excitement of the 2008 election, many have commented on the unprecedented interest and involvement of America’s youth. The members of Bromfield’s Student Advisory Council are no exception to this trend, as the council currently plays a more active role with the School Committee than ever before.

Formed in the 1970s, Bromfield’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) consists of five members. This year’s members are seniors Emma O’Rourke-Friel, Andrew Korstvet, Rachael Kipps, and Jacqui Holmes, and sophomore Molly O’Rourke-Friel. Elected by the student body each spring, representatives foster communication between Bromfield’s School Council and the School Committee. SAC members attend Monday School Committee meetings to present a student report detailing school news, including upcoming sporting events, plays, dances, and fundraisers. Later in the week SAC members provide Bromfield School Council members with an overview of the meeting, listening to concerns raised at subsequent meetings.

The current chairperson of the SAC, Emma O’Rourke-Friel, has served as a member since her sophomore year.

“Work-to-rule was ongoing at that point,” she said in a recent interview, “so it was a really interesting time to work with the School Committee, because there were pressing student concerns that would fall in the domain of the School Committee.”

O’Rourke-Friel became chairperson of the SAC as a junior, and is largely responsible for promoting the committee’s active role with the School Committee.

“I had heard that the law which created the SAC included a provision for increased student involvement with the School Committee,” she said. “I looked up the law, and it turned out that the chair of the SAC is an ex-officio [nonvoting] member of the School Committee.”

Determined that the SAC should have a student sitting on the School Committee, O’Rourke-Friel united the Bromfield SAC and Student Council in drafting a request, which was subsequently granted. As chairman of the SAC, O’Rourke Friel is now also a nonvoting member of the School Committee, which she asserts is an important change. Prior to having the student chairman, the SAC participated in School Committee meetings only to give the student report, which allowed no opportunity for dialogue between the groups.

“Now, the primary responsibilities of the SAC are reporting back to the Student Council exactly what is going on at the meetings, and providing student input,” explained O’Rourke-Friel. “Student input is important, especially in budget proceedings, when the School Committee is struggling with issues like which should be reduced, the technology or textbook budget?”

The other student members of the SAC share Emma’s opinion of how important it is for the School Committee to have student input and also express the value of the experience of working with the School Committee.

“From going to the School Committee meetings I have a much better idea of what is happening in our town and our school system,” said senior Jacqui Holmes. “When I went to my first meeting…I definitely saw a different side of our small, quiet town. It is interesting to see how the adults handle situations, how they come up with the compromises and alternative solutions, and how decisions are finally made.”

Rachael Kipps commented on the political lessons she’s learned through her experiences with the SAC.

“I’ve learned how difficult it is to keep people happy in my time observing both the School Committee and School Council,” she said. “I have also learned what I value in politics: directness, conciseness, and truthfulness.”

“I’ve really been working on getting myself educated on all the issues so I can look at them as they pertain to the student body,” said newly elected member Molly O’Rourke-Friel. “Probably the most important thing I have learned is the importance of communicating effectively, and articulating your ideas in the best way possible.”

Student members of Bromfield’s SAC also express the importance of being involved in the political decisions of the town.

“I have seen a lot of people put together very successful arguments for the School Committee, which has taught me how to take the initiative if I want my voice to be heard,” reflects Holmes. “The most significant thing I have learned from the School Committee is that it is really important to be involved with your community.”

“I always love watching people from the town come and participate in local government by attending meetings or participating in the open meeting, or even e-mailing concerns,” said Emma O’Rourke-Friel. “I think that people in this town expect a lot from the committees that serve them, and they make sure they get what they want by actively participating in local government.”