At the 2007 Hadley Student Council Inauguration, a new generation of student leaders took the stage while proud family members looked on. In a dignified yet upbeat ceremony, the outgoing Student Council passed the gavel to the incoming President, officers spoke about the six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship), and incoming President spoke of the Council’s desire to “Think Big” and “Change the world,” sentiments it has proclaimed on its T-shirts for the year. He also explained the two big goals for the year: strengthening the sense of community at Hadley, and making a difference at Hadley and in the community at large. “With the guidance of the adults around us, we can achieve great things,” he said.

Centering her remarks on the theme of commitment, keynote speaker State Senator Sandra Pihos congratulated the students. Noting her own start in Student Council, she said, “You’ve dedicated yourselves and you’ve chosen to be a leader. This is where is all begins,” adding, “Take pride in the fact that you’ve been given such a privilege.”

Hadley Principal Dr. Christopher Dransoff noted that he was impressed by the work this year’s Student Council had laid out for themselves, work that includes launching a fundraising activity for each grade level, and broadening extracurricular options. He reminded them that, “You are not alone. You are a team, and if you all fulfill your commitments, the work will be easier.”

The Student Council has already presented their plans for the year to the Board of Education, where they talked about their belief in their ability to effect change, their desire to engage in the larger community and their focus on helping their school become a place with a strong sense of community, a place where they belong and feel like they are doing something good for the school and community.

The faculty advisors for Student Council are Kelly Coleman, Joy Timberly, and Frank Tomaszkiewicz.