A weekly school gathering at Cato-Meridian Junior-Senior High School now runs entirely by students, giving them the microphone and the message.
The school shifted its long-running forum to a student-led model this year, with the Student Council taking over planning and facilitation from administrators.
The forum began at Cato-Meridian in 2022 after Principal Jennifer Kelly introduced the idea from her previous district. She said the goal was to bring the entire school together to share updates, celebrate successes, and start the week as a community.
“When I came here in 2022, I brought the idea of forum from my previous school district to Cato-Meridian,” Kelly said. “It is an opportunity for us to get together as a whole school, review what is going on and set up for the week as a community.”
This year, Student Council leaders asked to take on a bigger role. They now lead weekly sessions, opening with interactive activities and moving into discussions focused on student life.
Student Council President Everett Cox said peer leadership has made a difference. “We thought that if forum was hosted by their peers, students would be more likely to participate,” Cox said. “It also gives people experience in public speaking, which is one of the most important skills to develop before graduating high school.”
Once a month, the council turns the forum over to a club or class, allowing more students to design and run a session of their own. Cox said that approach encourages creativity and ownership.
Student Council officers meet weekly to plan content, building leadership and confidence along the way. Students have responded positively, describing recent forums as entertaining, exciting, and something they feel proud of.
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