Gibson Southern High School is starting fresh with two new Student Council advisors who are ready to make a change and a positive impact on the school and students.
“We have our own kids, and they are a part of the school,” co-advisor Jenna Gengelbach said. “We remember what it used to be when we were here, so we are just trying to change it up and make it better for everyone.”
With all things new this year, there are a lot of changes happening to the Student Council. Everyone has ideas, so there is much anticipation for what is to happen.
“We are trying to be a part of changing things and bringing more into the school,” co-advisor Kara Martin said. “We want more people involved in different activities and all the things.”
STUCO’s officers who run the organization make most of the final decisions. President Olivia Alston is ready to make some improvements.
“I think the new advisors are great,” Alston said. “We have used this change as an opportunity to improve the Student Council and how it runs.”
To the advisers, a big part of the Student Council is to make it more of a student-based club. All ideas should be from the students and for them to make the ideas happen smoothly.
“We really want to listen to the students’ ideas and what you guys want to try and make happen,” Gengelbach said.
There are many things to plan during the school year for the student body. Some are larger and more involved than others, but the biggest attraction is the event that happens in the spring.
“The biggest part of Student Council is planning the Homecomings in the fall and in the winter,” Martin said. “Another big one this year is going to be Mr. Titan, which happens later in the school year.”
A major change for this year’s Student Council was changing the Homecoming dance to something they have never done before.
“The biggest change we have made has been changing the Homecoming dance to the lawn party, which gained attraction from a much bigger portion of the student body,” Alston said.
The night of games and a pickleball tournament drew a large crowd, and the advisers hope to continue it for years to come.
There are many challenges that come with being an advisor of the Student Council.
“It’s just a lot to plan, and there are going to be many challenges,” Martin said. “But, we are ready to face them. It’s Student Council, so we really want it to be student-led.”
With ideas from students also comes costs. Every idea has a price that is sometimes hard to keep up with.
“Another big challenge right now is the funds,” Gengelbach said. “A lot of the ideas require funds, so we are trying to build that up so we can fulfill all the things that everybody wants to do.”
This year’s 2025-2026 Student Council has a lot to offer: new ideas, possibilities and a lot of fun for the upcoming year.
“I have high hopes for this new energy in STUCO, and so far, I’ve been so proud of our ideas and achievements,” Alston said.
