Inaugural Address by Senate President Jack Lovett

Transcript:

Delivered: September 13^th 2012

Principle Stembridge, Mr. Rattendi, Vice-President Hurney, Chairman Patkin, Chairman DeAngelo, members of the school staff, my fellow members of the Senate, my fellow students, all of you, my friends:

Today the Newton South Senate comes together to mark a new beginning and to embark on a journey of renewal. It is the first time that we have gathered as a student government to take our oaths of public service.

In this memorable moment, I would like to express my gratitude to my fellow Senators. You have bestowed upon me the office of the Presidency. As one of the youngest Senators ever elected to this position, I accept this honor unhesitatingly, and I promise you, you will not regret your choice.

Now, on my part and on yours, let us address the common difficulties of the Senate. Our initiatives have come to a halt and then practically disappeared, record keeping has become nonexistent, attendance is at an all time low, not all senate seats are filled, a single bill has not been made into policy in over three years, our infrastructure has all but collapsed, elections have not been contested, confidence is in constant decay, and promises for reform have been all but broken.

Most importantly, the requests of the students, the very people we represent have fallen on deaf ears. But I do not paint you this picture to despair, but to hope and to recognize opportunity. For these problems are by no means unsolvable but they do require immediate action and a new approach. I intend to offer a new approach. I will provide an internal reform program, to make changes we have been patiently waiting for all these years. But no mere program can miraculously cure all our ailments. It takes something more. In takes a new beginning.

Our student government must one day be not only the envy of other high schools but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with Newton South High School that cannot be cured by what is right with our community.

So let us pledge and commit ourselves to a new Senate: where change is a welcomed friend, not a stranger; where commitment is not something to be afraid of but something to cherish; where love of community is always put first, and where we can all be proud to say, “I am a Senator.” Let us come together as friends, not as enemies; to work together to improve this community and breakdown painful deadlock and drift. Let us make this student government a common enterprise, and a forum for progress.

It is time to give the Newton South Senate back to whom it belongs: the students of Newton South High School. And there we go; the ship has left its port. Together, we have embarked on our journey of renewal. The era of marginalized and ineffective government is over. The era of responsible government has begun.

To those Senators who answer my call to service, I am proud to embark on this journey with you. I am proud to lead you in ushering in this new era.

I hope that if we learned anything from the times past, we have learned that we must all play our part if we intend to succeed, that as much as we are individuals, we are individuals that are interdependent on each other, and we cannot rely on a few people to pull all the weight, for we all sail or sink together. Our community has given us the opportunity of public service, and we must all take responsibility. Together we will build a new Senate, strong enough, confident enough and determined enough to complete our first of many endeavors yet to come.

While the Senate rebuilds itself here, let us not forget the world outside the lecture hall, which for far too long has been an object of neglect in our meetings. There is, my friends, much to be done and a multitude of opportunities to be seized. Unnecessary stress on students that can be relieved, a cafeteria which can be improved, a campus which can be beautified, tables to be placed, fees to be questioned, financial aid which can be provided to those in need of it, a recycling program which can be improved, an electronics reform bill that has been catching dust for far too long and much, much more.

At first all these tasks may seem overwhelming, maybe even impossible, but with the right outlook, they are neither. If we come together with focus and boldness, with commitment and responsibility, all this and more can be accomplished.

To the school staff and administration, to the Faculty Council and other organizations such as the PTSO, on the behalf of the Senate, I extend to you a hand. Let us work together, for in common effort, we can accomplish more for all members of this community than when we labor by ourselves.

To our fellow students, I also extend a hand. You are always welcome here. Your concerns are our concerns, we want you here to express them, and we encourage you to give us feedback on all our work. We are your public servants; we are your resource and leaders.  Do not waste this opportunity.

My fellow Senators, our renewal is upon us, the opportunity of a new year shines brightly, we cannot afford to waste it. The trumpet has been sounded. We have awoken, and now the call must be answered. Today, we dedicate ourselves not to a miracle, but to a movement. When this Senate rises again, it will be because of us and our hard work. It will be because we believed, not in settling with an unfit status quo, but in moving forward to a better future.

Finally, my days as President begin where it all began for me, when I first set foot in this community as a freshman. I still believe in a place called Newton South High School. I still believe in the potential of a student government, called the Newton South Senate. And I still believe that in all our hearts lies a place called Hope.

Now, Let us together make this a year we can all be proud of!

Thank you.