By: Emma Grossman and Connor Schoen
Senior Class President, Mia Natale, was recently elected the chairwoman of the MIAA Student Advisory Committee. Natale now leads the committee of fourteen student-athletes who represent our state in making decisions relating to MIAA events. Natale said she is honored to hold the position. She is also very excited to be able to work alongside a variety of very intelligent, involved, and talented individuals.
Natale originally attended the New England Student Leadership Conference (NESLC) last year. From this experience, her great leadership skills were recognized, and she was then asked to join the MIAA Student Advisory Committee along with thirteen other student athletes. Her strong ideas and dedication to the committee led her to become its chairwoman this year.
The committee itself was created after national funding for a similar organization was cut. Massachusetts loved the program and its student engagement, so they adopted it. Some of the projects scheduled include: a statewide day of community service (introduced by Natale herself), an award for one school that is exemplary of the five pillars of education and athletics, a Hero Walk in honor of designated drivers, and a variety of workshops for captains and coaches.
Natale plans to continue with her involvement in this committee throughout college, but she also mentioned other plans for the future. In one year, she plans to be in a college “that is just right for [her]”. As a leader and lover of community service, she plans to endeavor in an education and a career in the medical field. In ten years, with her love of helping people, she hopes to have served in the Peace Corp.
Natale, specifically as Class President, has clearly been a successful figure throughout her years at high school. When asked about her keys to success, she said that distributing the workload and communicating thoroughly and constantly with the rest of the class is her most effective tool to achievement.
She also gave the inside scoop to what the Senior Class is planning for this year. With two scheduled plant sales (one of which has already been completed), the continuation of the annual dodgeball tournament, a three-on-three basketball tournament, the Senior Ball, and much more, the seniors are definitely in for a treat this year.
Finally, Natale shared how she planned to leave a final mark on this school. She mentioned a Board of Student Activities to unite the various group leaders of clubs, classes, and athletic teams. This is simply an organizational body which will meet monthly starting in October of this year to keep everyone up-to-date and in-touch as well as to create one BIG calendar with all of their events and meetings. She also mentioned an Earth Day Project similar to Rangers Give Back, except the entire student body will hopefully participate. Lastly, Natale hopes that the senior class will remain good role models and be remembered for years to come.
As a new school year begins, Natale specifically wanted to mention, mainly to the freshmen, that high school has been “the best four years of [her] life”. Stressing to stay as involved as you can be, she thanked all of the people who have both inspired her over the years and helped her become who she is today. This long list includes Mr. Reed, Mrs. Stoker, Ms. DiCarlo, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Favulli, Mr. Kittredge, Mr. Smith, Mr. Callaghan, and many more. But also, while looking back at her great years at WHS, Natale said, “Enjoy every moment of it because it goes by fast!”
