02 Apr SET Student Representation on the School Board
Want to be in the room where it happens? At SET High, a tuition-free charter school in San Diego, that would be in a school board meeting. There’s a board of directors and thanks to Molly McGinnis, there’s now student representation. Following in her footsteps, Isabella Pipkin will be the student rep next year. We asked them all about just what happens behind the scenes, what they’ve learned, and about their time at SET.
Why did you want to join the School Board?
Molly McGinnis (MM): I enjoy being a part of the school in bigger ways than just attending class everyday, and I wanted to have a voice in the happenings of school and help other students have a voice as well.
Isabella Pipkin (IP): It is a great opportunity for me to develop and practice leadership skills, while also helping students improve the school.
Molly, what responsibilities do you have on the School Board?
My responsibilities as a student representative are attending board meetings and speaking up about anything I don’t agree with, as well as staying in good academic standing.
What have you learned by serving on the School Board?
MM: I’ve learned that there is a lot more to school than just the teachers teaching, the sports and just everyday life at school. There is so much that has to go on in the background for a school to run smoothly and properly, and a lot of people have to put in extra hours and work that you may never see.
Anything you’ve been surprised by as a member of the School Board?
MM: How much money it costs to keep a school running.
Did serving on the Board change your opinion/thoughts about SET?
MM: I’ve always enjoyed SET as a school and the teachers within it. I think my only change of opinion was about decisions being made and why they have to be made in such a way.
Favorite vote?
MM: My favorite thing I got to vote on was the proposed renovation for the school bathrooms. It’s hard to explain what the proposal was without going into a lengthy detail, but when there was a special session called during the summer to vote on it I knew I had to go. We had a pretty long discussion on what I liked/ didn’t like and why I thought the rest of the student body would agree. This led to a change of the proposal completely and a new idea for the renovation, which I agreed with and was passed.
Would you recommend serving on the Board to other students?
MM: I would recommend serving on the board to other students. I think it sounds kind of intimidating and very time consuming, but it honestly isn’t. It’s 2-3 hours once a month where you can learn about the interconnections of the school and what is happening with the school. You get to help make big decisions and be a voice for the students, while also strengthening your relationships with the teachers and admin that also attend the meetings.
Why does the student representative get the first vote?
MM: My title as the student representative gives me the first vote in the board meeting so that my vote on whether I am for or against is not soured by the votes the rest of the board makes, as well as so the rest of the board can hear my vote and take that into consideration before casting their vote.
Isabella, Do you have any changes / objectives you’d like to focus on while on the School Board?
None in particular, mostly I just want to help share what the students want.
Why did you choose SET?
IP: All of the electives offered here at SET are what really convinced me to attend. I really love the freedom to study what I am interested in. My favorite elective class so far has been “Into The Darkness: All Things Poe”! Ms. Lennon taught it, and it was so fun! I would take that class again in a heartbeat. I really loved the various stories we studied! Also, last year, I took an Engineering and Design class with Mr. Odegard. It was super fun and I learned a lot in the class. If you stop by his classroom, you can see the mural that my friend and I painted!
Who is a strong SET influence and why?
MM: For me, my strongest influence is Dr. McCurdy. It sounds kinda silly because he is the principal, and not a lot of students at other schools have close relationships with their principals, but I have been involved at SET for almost 8 years (my brother and sister also went here) and grew to know the administration the most before I knew the teachers. Dr. McCurdy is who I am closest with and has had the biggest effect on my life.
IP: Ms. Farias has been crucial in my experiences at SET! As both a Spanish teacher and ASB advisor, I have never not had a class with her. It was because of her that I was able to join ASB. She is also the person who encouraged me to go for this position!
Are you involved in other activities at SET?
MM: I have been involved in ASB, SET Senate, Ignite, and yearbook. I haven’t played a major role in these groups as a president or founder, but I have really enjoyed being a part of all of these groups in different ways. Ignite is a peer mentoring and tutoring program that Jessica Romero, our school psychologist runs. I did it both as a mentee when I was a lower-classman and as a mentor when I was an upperclassman! I really liked being able to connect with people that weren’t in my grade and help people in any way possible.
IP: I am currently the Secretary for ASB! It is really fun, because I get to take notes and be involved in many important decisions. We plan dances and fundraisers, our ultimate goal is to improve student morale and provide fun activities. Also, this year I joined the JV girls volleyball team, which helped me develop important relationships and teamwork.
Can you tell us about a memorable project you’ve worked on at SET?
MM: My most memorable research I’ve done has followed me throughout all four years. Pretty much every year in whatever English class I was in at the time, I did either an essay or research paper on Racism in America. I did that because it’s something that I am very passionate about and I don’t think people quite understand to the full extent of what it is. I am very lucky to have had English teachers who supported me in taking on this very steep topic and encouraged me to go at it.
IP: I partnered with a close friend to start a club dedicated to art and design. Our eventual goal was to start a functioning business, but we had to put a hold on the club when we started our Junior year. Nonetheless, it was a valuable experience which taught me many interesting lessons about entrepreneurship.
Fun Facts About Molly
- I have 8 cats split between two houses, but my fave ever is Socks and everyone knows him if they know me.
- One of my biggest interests is in cars and the whole car world and in the future I hope to go into business within the car industry. I currently work at the SD Automotive Museum in Balboa Park and have been taking a class with them for three years. I have recently been asked to join the La Jolla Concours D’Elegance as an official car judge.
- I met the mayor and he said I could do a paid internship with him but I turned it down to work at Trader Joe’s.
Fun Facts About Isabella
- I love being in the water, and have been swimming since before I could walk.
- I have two younger siblings, a sister and a brother.
- I grew up with lots of pets, everything from a rabbit, to zebra finches, to chickens, to dogs. I love animals of all shapes and sizes, and I have a passion for the ocean.
- I enjoy reading and it is an aspiration of mine to one day write a novel.
Thank you Molly and Isabella, for sharing more about your time at SET– such great intel! Want to know more about our WASC-accredited, California Distinguished High School? SET High is enrolling now– come shadow for a day and see us for yourself!
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students at our California Distinguished School (2x awarded!) build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at www.sethigh.org.