Student Council is often recognized for its events, spirit initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, but the students leading the organization experience a far deeper side of involvement. For its officers, the role demands consistency, organization, and the ability to support a large group of peers. Juniors Dereck Betancourt and Lilly Nolasco, along with senior Megan Espinoza, shared how serving as officers has shaped their leadership and their connection to the school community.

Being selected as an officer was a big moment for Betancourt which also filled him with a sense of pride. 

“When I found out I was going to be an officer I felt really proud of myself because I knew a lot of people had tried out for this position, so being picked felt like a big accomplishment and a commitment,” Betancourt said. 

As a first-time officer, the experience has helped him learn how to collaborate effectively with others, working alongside fellow officers as a unified team focused on what benefits the organization and its members.

“For me it is like working together with the other officers as a team for what’s more beneficial for the organization and its members,” Betancourt said.

Betancourt joined Student Council to feel more connected to his school and community, and volunteering soon became one of the parts he values most. He appreciates being able to give back simply because he enjoys it, not because he needs service hours.

“Even though I don’t need to complete hours for cords, I enjoy helping and giving back to my community while also having fun,” Betancourt said.

 As an officer, he likes to be the person who members can go to for everything. 

“I get to help confused members and work with the other officers on things like meeting slides and marking the people who attended an event,” Betancourt said.

However, Betancourt said the role comes with quite a few mishaps at times when performing officer duties. 

“The worst thing about being an officer is giving negative hours to members who don’t show up to the volunteer events because if they communicated it could’ve been avoided,” Betancourt said. 

For Nolasco, this is her second year of being an officer, but she stepped into a different role as vice president of philanthropy this year. 

“When I first found out I was going to be a different type of officer this year, I felt really proud of myself and excited for a new opportunity,” Nolasco said. 

Nolasco was drawn to Student Council because of its welcoming atmosphere and positive energy. She appreciates the relaxed environment and the opportunities her officer role gives her to support others.

“My favorite part about STUCO is the community, the vibes are so chill and everyone is so welcoming,” Nolasco said. “Being an officer is being able to be a helping hand and answer questions.” 

While the role has been positive, it also comes with responsibilities. Managing service hours can be time‑consuming, and the position has pushed her to grow in public speaking and leadership.

 “The amount of time it can take to log hours can be a lot,” Nolasco said. “I have learned how to present myself in front of a large group of people and how to lead a group.” 

As a senior, Espinoza brought a different perspective to the officer team. At first, stepping into the role felt overwhelming, but over time she grew more confident and even excited despite the lingering nerves.

“I started to overthink it a little bit and felt like I wasn’t ready in the beginning, but I grew to be excited, the nerves were still there, but most importantly I was happy,” Espinoza said. 

Espinoza’s love for Student Council grew through the hands-on volunteer work she did as a member, from assisting at campus activities and community events to helping run service projects. Those experiences inspired her to step into an officer role.

“I love student council and wanted to make sure others have as much fun as I do,” Espinoza said. “I love all the volunteering we do because I feel like we’re truly making a difference.”

Serving as an officer has pushed Espinoza outside of her comfort zone to connect with new people.

“Meeting so many amazing people and students has been my favorite part,” Espinoza said. “Its very rewarding to see the impact the officers have on the members.”

Through their different experiences, the Student Council has helped the officers develop leadership skills while deepening their connection to the school and community, while also being motivational to other students.