The memorable moments made at pep rally and homecoming are just a few of the high school activities that cannot happen without the help from the Student Government Association (SGA). With the club/class being the driving force behind Charter, SGA has grown to be a community with the help of a significant factor: its president. With senior Kara Warren being the current leader and setting a successful path for SGA in the future, it would not have been possible without Charter alumna, Adrienne Hibbert starting the club.
With Hibbert being a part of the first-ever graduating class of Charter in 2004, Hibbert was able to experience growth not only within the school but within herself. “I was so shy to the point that if you spoke to me too hard I would be in tears,” she says. Being able to become the president of this nationwide club was not something in 9th grade Hibbert had a part of her high school plan.
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Although she was big on sports, Hibbert always found herself doing something education-related. Whether that was studying, being a member of other clubs, or wanting to stay after school, Hibbert quickly began to get noticed for her involvement in the school and outstanding leadership. Soon enough, a teacher told her that she would be good in student government. In her mind at the time, Hibbert did not understand what made her teacher think that she would be capable of doing something so nerve-wracking. “But she saw something in me…”
As SGA election day was quickly approaching, Hibbert had to prepare a speech that she would be giving in front of the whole school. Reliving the memory, Hibbert says, “When I wrote my speech, I wrote about really changing the school and getting what we deserve as a high school.” With envisioning what the club would be like once she became president, Hibbert had one big goal in mind: “What I wanted for our school was for us to be respected.” After making her debut more confident than ever, the school voted on all the nominees.
After winning, Hibbert quickly got to work with her new club as she wanted the student body to feel the school spirit and be proud of the community they were involved in. By getting to know her team and finally grasping the concept of organization and structure, Hibbert was able to plan accordingly for events and allowed her graduating class to live up to her expectations. Hibbert understood from being president that “[SGA] teaches high school students, in this very controlled space, how to affect change.”
Continuing in Hibbert’s steps, the current senior president of SGA, Kara Warren, strives for this club to have everything it needs so it can remain the strong and beloved club it is. Joining SGA in her sophomore year as sophomore senator, the name ‘Warren’ instantly stuck within SGA as “my sister was the president of SGA during Covid…,” Warren expresses with a smile.
Being able to step up as the president has allowed Warren to mirror what her older sister, Kiersten Warren, did when she was president. “Seeing her at graduation speaking to her whole high school class made me want to do that as well,” she recalls. Not only did her sister run the club during Covid, but she also maintained her determination which allowed Warren to understand the skills a person needs to acquire to become a great president.
With being president, the experience Warren has received has been like no other. Working in SGA has allowed Warren to learn different work ethics and how to prioritize certain events and dues. As for Hibbert, this club has allowed her to get a new perspective on who she is and the tasks she can handle. This nationwide club has allowed both women to observe the little details that come with running a huge club. Hibbert’s best piece of advice to ensure everything stays consistent would be to “get a mentor that you look up to, that you would follow, that allows them to direct your path, and also challenges you.” From experience, these women realized that being part of a club also calls for doing things at a comfortable pace. Warren believes in “not letting the whole burden go on you because it is really easy just to think, ‘Oh I can do it, I have to do this, let me do this for them or for that event.’ It is like a team of people; it should be a collaboration.”
From the numerous weekly meetings held, SGA ensures a good time and will continue to excel as the years go on. The independence within the club not only allows the club members’ voices to be heard but also allows students to participate in the true high school experience. Although Hibbert had to eventually depart from her position, a quote by Maya Angelou will always bring her back to her SGA days. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
