Student Government hosted its first Flagship Showcase on Saturday when 35 high school students came to the University to learn about the inner workings of SG and University involvement.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Sen. David Jones chaired the showcase and said its goal was to challenge the attendees “as student leaders to take their roles more seriously.”
SG Senate’s Committee on External Affairs headed the event. High school students from across the state were invited to the University, and speakers from the University and the community talked to them about involvement.
SG originally planned to award scholarships to students in attendance, but there were no scholarship applicants, according to SG Senate Speaker Brooksie Bonvillain.
Bonvillain said SG may try to award the scholarships at other events or wait until next year.
SG Vice President Dani Borel said only a couple of the students at the showcase were planning to come to the University, which poses issues in awarding a scholarship. Bonvillain said there was no prerequisite of attending the University to attend the showcase.
“I think the high school showcase was successful,” said Borel. “I wish our attendance had been higher, but it was the first time we did this.”
Jones planned the showcase along with the Senate’s Committee on External Affairs. Jones said he received ideas for the showcase from the SG SEC exchange he attended earlier in the semester.
Throughout the day, students learned about being involved in both their schools and communities during and after high school. The students also learned how college SG differs from high school student councils.
“Student government is so different from student council, and they don’t know what the differences are,” said Hilary Soileau, SG Senator and showcase volunteer.
Bonvillain said the students were especially receptive to guest speakers David Jones Sr. of the St. Paul Adult Learning Center and Councilwoman Tara Wicker, District 10.
While recruiting was a component of the Flagship Showcase, Borel stressed the main goal was to show students how they can be involved in their colleges.
During the day, students met with committee heads and brainstormed initiatives pertaining to both the University and their high schools. Bonvillain said because most high school student councils focus on event planning, many of the students were interested in the Committee on Student Outreach. Bonvillain said they advised the students about how to increase participation, advertise and budgets for their events.
Despite the low turnout, Borel, Bonvillain and Soileau agreed the showcase went well.
“This is Student Government investing in the future,” Soileau said.
 
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