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Writer's pictureShantavia Thaxter

Pressing Answers to Pressing Questions in a Pressing Time

In a time like this, we are in search of answers to justify many theories that are arising. Some may turn to the internet, which on numerous occasions have proven to be a discreditable source and even our smartest friends can’t give us all the answers that we really need. Who is better to give the answers to all our queries than the persons at the forefront advocating and representing us, the student body?

I’m sure that it was with the students’ best interest at heart that the Students’ Council planned and hosted the first Town Hall Meeting of this academic year to allow students to share their questions and queries on many different matters and have these questions properly answered by a credible source being our Students’ Council President, Dontae Minto and Head Boy, Andrew McIntosh.


Unity is Strength

In the President’s address, he exclaimed that, “the Council is not a one man’s job.” He further went on to tell us that the council is made up of many different departments which all work together to bring out the only mandate of the Council, effectively serving the student body. Many questions were darted towards Mr. McIntosh inquiring how threatened the prefecture is by the council but the air was cleared by both McIntosh and former Head Boy, Bobby Francis that at no time does the prefecture need to feel threatened by the council or vice versa because they both combine efforts to act in the best interest of students despite their different objectives. The Hall was amused by the questions directed to the Head boy but all jaws dropped and members gasped in awe when the journalist asked the Chairman-Advisory, Bobby Francis, “Mr. Francis, would you say that you have created minions of yourself”, alluding that all executive Council members are using Francis as a blueprint. Mr. Francis ably answered by making a comparison to our teachers and principal that though they all work under the principal we can’t say that he is grooming minions. His response eased the irascible journalist as she responded with no further questions. Another journalist questioned the effectiveness of the council without Mr. Francis but President Minto all led us to the understanding that Mr. Francis only serves as an advisory to the council as unity is strength and great leaders unite when necessary to bring out all objectives. Furthermore, it was made clear by the President that it is in the new design of the Students’ Council for one sitting President, an Immediate Past President as Principal Chairman and a Past President as Advisoral Chair in an effort to promote what they call sustainable leadership.


Not Safe, Not Available, Parents won’t Allow It

The most pressing matter in our society today, Vaccination, was one of the main focuses of the Town Hall. We were briefed by President Minto with the statistics for the vaccination level of the student populous. We were updated that we are not yet at our 65% mark. Some students stated that they are unvaccinated because their parents do not believe the vaccine is safe for children, others argue that the vaccine for children is not available and most students said that their parents just won’t allow them to take the vaccine. The council’s suggestion to fix this problem is to appeal to the PTA in order to speak directly to the parents. Minto also urged us not to force people, we only need to talk, educate and spread the information.


Rise Above the Challenges and Shine like the Brightest Star

In the Head Boy’s address, he urged all Yorkists to rise to the occasion and encouraged the body to push forward even through the hardest circumstances. His words of encouragement were appreciated as we all need motivation in these very hard times, whether to pull through online classes or handling all that life throws at us.

All in all, the meeting was a success and we look forward to seeing all plans and promises made by our student leaders being fulfilled!


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