Senior Class President Liam Zidar '22 explains that Student Council’s influence in the school is unique among other student groups, which typically focus on hobbies (or even service work) outside of school. Because Student Council focuses on the student experience, there’s a big opportunity for impact at LA. “Student Council’s impact is more than just hosting homecoming and prom,” he says. “It’s creating this healthy and fun school environment that students feel safe and excited to be a part of and participate in.”  

Junior Student Council member Helena Kavanagh '23 adds, "Each week we come together not only as a community, but as a family. I love the aspect of being able to be a leader in the school, the decisions we get to make, the activities we run and the people that look up to us."

In planning for the 2021–2022 school year, Student Council added new days to the student calendar. Every Friday became a Flex Friday with different activities for students to participate in during their flex periods. These helped provide new opportunities for all students to get involved. With activities like a water balloon toss and popsicles, capture the flag, relays, dodgeball, a field goal contest, BINGO, trivia, musical chairs and karaoke, there really was something for everyone. 

Once a month, Student Council hosted Movie Monday in the Student Center. Students enjoyed popcorn and watching a different movie with friends and classmates each month. Featured films included “Ferris Bueller's Day Off,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Blind Side” and “The Grinch.” 

In addition to Movie Mondays and Flex Fridays, during the first semester Student Council sponsored Spirit Week, the annual Powder Puff game, the Pep Rally and Homecoming. 

In September, members created a display of 2,974 American flags at the Loyola Academy sign on the corner of Lake and Laramie Avenues to recognize the 20th anniversary of September 11th. On National Ice Cream Day, they sponsored an ice cream bar in the Piazza.

In October, they held the Senior Sunrise, a new tradition for the senior class. For Halloween, Student Council hosted an event for Ramblers to decorate sugar skulls, set up Halloween Hidden Prizes and organized the sale and delivery of popular “Boo Gram” messages to classmates.  

In November, Student Council hosted a station for writing Christmas cards to soldiers and, in December, there was an opportunity for making ornaments for Christmas.

“All of these events encouraged the student body to be more open to coming back together and ultimately strengthened the sense of community of Loyola,” Zidar adds. 

After a successful (and busy!) first semester, Loyola’s Student Council has no intention of slowing down. “It is crucial that the Student Council remains strong and committed year round,” says Zidar. “We serve as a voice for the student body and if our council is not committed, that voice will not be heard. We are dedicated to providing a means for student expression and assistance in whatever school affairs or activities the student body is concerned with.”

"It is so important for the Loyola community to have a strong council during these times because it has been so hard to feel like a community after being separate for so long," says Kavanagh. "Having a group that is committed to making the school feel like a community and bring everyone together is crucial. I have met many new people in Student Council and grown so close to them and I am so lucky and honored to be part of such an amazing group." 

"Being a part of Student Council, I've been able to contribute to creating this community at Loyola," adds sophomore Student Council member Maddy Byrd '24. "Having a strong Student Council is so important during these times to help students feel like we are here for them. I think Student Council has made coming to school during these times so much easier. I've loved getting to see the progress Student Council has made and can't wait to see how much we can accomplish!"   

Thank you to the following Student Council members for all of their hard work and dedication!

President: Liam Zidar

Senior VP: Kendall Beil

Junior VP: Luke Hughes

Sophomore VP: Maddy Byrd

Freshman VP: Annie Atwood

Secretary: John Phillips

Social Media: Jane Calk, Kate Ginn, Ally Walsh

 

Kaitlyn Baele

Jendall Beil

Jane Calk

Grace Ehlert

Caroline Gubbins

Mary Claire Hendrick

Claire Hoepfner

Eva McHugh

John Phillips

Seichi Shinozaki

Julia Swanson

Lauren Thuet

Timothy Vallace

Liam Zidar

Abby Daniel

Eileen Dooley

Kate Finn

Kate Green

Hailey Guzman

Allegra Hamacher

Michaela Heintz

Benjamin Howland

Luke Hughes

Helena Kavanagh

Olivia Loverdi

Michael McNaughton

Chloe Molins

Claire Murnane

Jane Rushin

Lauren Smyth

Ally Walsh

Julia Brooks

Madelyn Byrd

Sofia Garcia

Sinit Gebrehiwet

Vaughn Jozwiak

Erin Keating

Harrison Kriston

Adrian Martinez

Jack McBrearty

Erin McCarthy

Sofia Rosinski

Isabella Silva

James Sohigian

William Steele

Matty Vallace

Elizabeth (Elle) Anderson

Annie Atwood

Eva Bonanno

McKenzie Boylen

Catherine Bransfield

Sofia Chen

Maria Cheng

Camille Cox

Annie Ditka

Kate Dunn

Aleena George

Grace Gordon

Gigi Hensley

Katie Krug

Katie McBrearty

Owusu Pepah

Lauren Schrants

Marney Smyth

Lilian Stumpf

Ashley Zapata