Although this school year has been unique from those in the past, the De Soto High School student council is still implementing ways for the community to be involved at this unprecedented time.

Due to all of its members being divided by separate cohorts, StuCo has adjusted to meeting on Wednesday mornings at 7:15, before the school-wide virtual day begins.These meetings, held over the video platform Zoom, consist of ideas, questions, and other upbringings from the council. 

Stu sponsors Katherine Meserko and Lori Hughes both are doing things such as holding these meetings as well as helping with the clubs brainstorming. 

“We still want students to feel a sense of community at DHS, so many of the ideas we have are virtual,” Meserko said. 

One exciting thing student council will be doing is having students create video tutorials. This program will be 30-45 second clips that help students with Macbook shortcuts and easier ways to access virtual programs such as Canvas. Some examples include activities such as how to screen record properly. 

“It’s supposed to be helpful tips for making students’ lives a little easier when learning at home,” Meserko said. 

Another way student council is staying involved is class initiatives, with each grade’s representatives promoting the themes. 

“Each grade focuses on a certain initiative they plan to work on within the De Soto school or community,” senior StuCo president Brent Smith said. “For the first quarter, seniors are helping students be successful during online school. Juniors are focusing on raising awareness for mental health and helping students who may be facing mental health challenges, and sophomores are promoting community unification through positivity.”

There are also different ways StuCo members will be spreading word of these initiatives. 

“There will be posters around the school, videos and communication through social media,” Hughes said. 

Although student council is doing as much as possible virtually, there are still disappointments on events such as Homecoming and Powderpuff being cancelled. 

“I am disappointed that events are being cancelled, but I know it’s the right thing to do to keep people safe,” Hughes said. 

Despite the unknowns for the rest of this year, StuCo is looking at the bright side of things. 

“I will be encouraging everybody to embrace the challenge. As president, I will be working everyday to make sure we make the most of this less than positive situation,” Smith said.