More than 300 students from multiple high schools came together in Sioux Falls on Monday for a student council workshop event at the South Dakota National Guard Armory. One of the schools in attendance was the Ethan Rustlers. Ethan student council advisor McKenzie Frerichs brought twelve kids to the workshop.
“They’re learning leadership skills that they are going to take into their careers. Whether they’re a farmer, teacher, or doctor. I’m just so thankful they’re getting these skills and just learning to be good humans,” said Frerichs. “They are amazing humans, and I know they’re going to take that into whatever communities they live in – whether that’s Ethan or in another state.”
Like most schools, student council in Ethan is decided by students voting for the peers.
“We hold student council elections, so there are three in each grade. The student president is in student council, and then we take two other representatives, so they have to be voted by the peers to be on student council,” Frerichs explained. “I’m always so thankful for the ones who make it on student council, but I’m also heartbroken to the ones who don’t, because it’s such a great organization, and I know they’d all do amazing.”
Aiden Riggs is the senior student council President for the Rustlers. He enjoys his journey and what it has taught him.
“Student Council is just being a great example, being a leader, that’s what student council is,” stated Riggs. “Some qualities you can learn from it is being that leader. Maybe helping with making everyone feel as welcome as everyone else.”
For Riggs, he enjoys how it has helped him in his rural way of life.
“I, myself, live on a farm. I farm with my grandpa, dad, and uncle. Student Council really helps me be a leader there, take initiative. If something needs to get done, you go and do it,” exclaimed Riggs. “Leadership is such a huge thing. If you can be there to help someone and lead things, you’re going to be pretty good in life.”
Anna Nellegaard is a sophomore at Ethan, who is currently in her second year being involved with student council.
“When I was a seventh and eighth grader, I got to see all the fun stuff that student council had done, and then when I was a freshman I wanted to be a part of it, and was able to get onto it,” she said. “And then I was able to get onto it again this year.”
Student council at Ethan is responsible for numerous events for the student body. One of the most recent tasks was events that surrounded the schools homecoming – from games throughout the week to the parade.
“Just seeing all of the hard work we put into it come to life, and then see the rest of the school enjoy what we do. I think the main part of Ethan is just the community and our closeness,” Nellegaard said. “We’re such a small school, so everybody knows each other, and we all look out for each other. It’s just a great environment to be in.”
For McKenzie Frerichs, she couldn’t be prouder of who represents Student Council in Ethan.
“I absolutely love my students. They are like family to me. I just want to raise good kids. My own children, but also my students,” she told. “I just want to make an impact on them, and they’re also making an impact on me. I’m so thankful to have each and every one of them in my life.”
Frerichs calls her students ‘Super Rustlers,’ because of how much they do for the school and community on a regular basis.
“The same ones who are in cross country, volleyball, football, and basketball are also in student council, and FFA and national honors society,” she stated. “They want to make a difference in their community. I’m so thankful to have the group of kids that we have, we truly are like a family.”
The South Dakota High School Activities Association is holding a total of four Student Council workshops this week throughout the state – Sioux Falls, Watertown, Ft. Pierre, and Rapid City. Each workshop features guest speaker Adrienne Bulinski of Colorado, who works with the kids in various sessions through the day.
