In the eyes of many, student council participation is a rite of passage, a symbol of community involvement grounded in the classic high school experience. Like any club that Malden High offers, student government is a chance to meet like-minded, driven peers and make memories that last into adulthood. What people do not tell you, however, is the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that go into every fundraising event and function. With senior year upon us, the events that take the most preparation are quickly approaching. Thankfully, the class of 2025 student council is ready.
“We’ve had a good foundation leading up to now,” explained secretary Sarah Pham. “We are still fundraising, but we are not panicking to get things done.”
Senior year kicked off with the highly anticipated Senior Sunrise, where students gathered at the crack of dawn to celebrate their final year by watching the sunrise at MacDonald Stadium. Vice President Saniah Charles recalled the event as a powerful moment of unity. “It was a great way for everyone to come together and finally say, ‘Okay, yeah, we’re seniors,’” she said.
Fundraising is, without a doubt, at the forefront of the council’s responsibilities, and the group is using prior successes and lessons learned to guide their actions for the remainder of the year.
A great example of a standout, successful student council event was Junior Varieties, Malden High’s highly anticipated annual talent showcase, which raised significant funds and drew enthusiastic support from the community.
While the road to putting it on was far from smooth, Class of ‘25 advisor and history teacher Courtney Braz reflected on the emotions, pride, and sense of accomplishment that came along with bringing it to life. “It was so unbelievably chaotic and stressful…but seeing you guys perform, hit your marks, hit your lines, be funny, get laughs, and get these immense cheers from the crowds…that opening night, it was so smooth and successful. It was just such a good feeling; I was in the back booth tearing up.” She emphasized how it is often the persistence and commitment you put in that results in the most rewarding, polished, and memorable outcome.
Christina Anasthal, Class of ‘25 student council President, also reflected on the importance of being prepared: “The key to a successful fundraiser is taking the time to plan every detail out, even if it seems annoying. You can’t please everyone, but you have to do what’s best for the whole group.”
As Pham put it, “We’re doing well financially, but we can always do better.” While the council has raised a significant amount of funds, the cost of events like prom continues to pose a challenge. “A lot of people don’t realize how expensive and how much goes into planning these events,” she said, noting substantial costs, such as the buses for prom.
The Class of 2025 student council has a lot to look forward to in the final months of senior year. Prom is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events, and the preparation for it is already underway. “We are making sure everything is well-planned,” said Charles, “because when you have an event like prom, it’s a lot of work to ensure everything goes smoothly.”
Many of the finer details regarding prom remain yet to be determined, but Braz was able to affirm that prom will fall on May 21st, the third Wednesday of May, and will be held at Danversport Yacht Club.
As the Class of 2026 student council events begin to ramp up, the Class of 2027 officers have just been elected, and the Class of 2028 advisor has recently been appointed, the senior class officers reflect on the valuable lessons they’ve learned over the years about what makes a truly effective student council.
“Ignore the people who hate school events,” proclaimed Pham. She pointed out how you can never truly please everyone, so try your hardest to always do what you believe is right for you, your fellow officers, and your class.
Charles added to this, advising to “not let your class shame you for certain events.” While there will always be hits or misses, “you’re always learning.”
For major fundraising events, Braz asserts the most crucial mentality to have going into it: “All hands on deck.” Pointing out how, with JVs, “a lot of the behind-the-scenes work ends up falling onto the advisors every year, so my suggestion is that all students offer help where their advisors need it.”
At the heart of it all is a commitment to the broader community of Malden High, where every student’s voice can be heard, and every effort counts. While the demands of student government can be intense, the memories, relationships, and experiences they cultivate are what truly define this pivotal part of our lives; without student council, so much would be left undone, a part of our high school journey left unwritten. For the Class of 2025, the work is not over, but they are confident that, through it all, they have created something lasting—both for themselves and for the generations to come.
