Amped SGA

“[The Humanities Amped/Tara High School SGA] gives students a voice actually in school. I know people say, ‘We’re gonna give you a voice.’ No, it actually gives you a voice. I’ve sat in meetings with the principal and assistant principal, the deans. I email them all the time, talk to them. It really gives you a voice and it allows students to be integrated into school and not just come to school.”

- Amped SGA Member

Now in its second year, the Humanities Amped facilitated Tara High School Student Government Association is fired up and ready to continue the work they started last year to strengthen school culture and community for everyone who calls Tara High School home. Since taking office in September, they have been working diligently to ignite meaningful change across campus: with an approach to leadership that starts with listening, the SGA is engaging their peers and educators to build on a semester of success as they look toward an even more exciting spring.

It all started with Homecoming! The SGA kicked off the year by making the school environment more welcoming for everyone. They decorated the halls, brought the hype to the Homecoming Parade, and ran fun and engaging games at the pep rally. It was a fantastic opportunity to boost school spirit and set the tone for the year.

At the end of October, the SGA hosted an impactful and informative Breast Cancer Awareness panel.

Earlier in the month, the SGA had the incredible opportunity to represent our school at the District Leadership Rally, joining forces with nearly 300 other student leaders from 15 schools for a day of powerful growth and inspiration. The theme was "Igniting the Leader Within," and we spent the day focused on a single, powerful idea: how to be leaders who don't just serve for a year, but who build a lasting legacy. In this room full of young leaders, the HA/THS SGA stood out, being recognized for their incredible spirit, their insightful ideas, and the pride they showed for our school.

The SGA is bringing all that amazing energy right back home to Tara High’s hallways, and the fun is just getting started. More community-focused, high-energy pep rallies are on the way, and details are coming soon for Senior Sunset! Our goal is to pack this year with unforgettable events that boost school spirit and create lasting memories for everyone.

The SGA's mission, though, goes beyond planning great events: they want to improve our school's culture from the inside out. After listening and discussing the challenges students face, this year’s cohort is picking up the baton from last year, focusing on mental health, peer support, and creating a more positive community. These important initiatives include:

• "Get Right Centers": We're working with teachers to create designated spaces in classrooms where students can go to self-regulate when they're feeling overwhelmed. It's a quiet corner to reset and a tool to promote emotional wellness.

• Peer-to-Peer Support: We believe in the power of students helping students. We're launching training programs that will equip student leaders with skills in conflict resolution and emotional support, so they can be a resource for their peers.

• Focus on Restorative Justice: Instead of just focusing on punishment, we want to find positive ways to resolve conflicts and repair relationships when things go wrong. It’s all about learning, growing, and strengthening our community together.

This is just the beginning of the legacy the Humanities Amped/Tara High School SGA hopes to build. Just as the SGA is committed to making sure every student feels seen, heard, and supported, Humanities Amped is committed to facilitating a program that centers student voice, equips them with skills, and empowers them to create the school culture they envision for themselves and their community. The impact of this program on the leadership capacity of young people at Tara High School is tremendous. In the words of one student about her SGA experience, “I learned that just because I’m a student, it doesn’t mean I can’t hold a place of power.”  

You can help make this transformative, hands-on learning possible by making a donation today that shows the Amped SGA that what they’re doing for our community matters!

You can learn more about the work of Humanities Amped at www.humanitiesamped.org.