Taking pride in Wantagh High

Emily Latif and Brendan von Runnen have the second Thursday of each month circled on their calendars. As the co-presidents of the General Organization, Wantagh High School’s student council, they attend every Board of Education meeting and get seats right up front.

The pair are this year’s student representatives to the board, and are charged with keeping trustees, administrators and the public apprised of the many happenings at the high school. “We get to share the Wantagh spirit,” von Runnen said, “and we get to show the good that we’re doing in our school.”

It’s been a tradition for several years for the co-presidents of the General Organization to serve as the student representatives. After the Board of Education concludes its regular agenda at each monthly business meeting, the students give their reports.

Von Runnen is focusing primarily on athletics, announcing scores, team and individual accomplishments, and upcoming games of interest. He meets with the district athletic director before putting together his report, which is then reviewed by Assistant Principal James Brown.

Latif reports on academic happenings, including student achievements, awards ceremonies, and extra-curricular activities. She said much of the information from her reports comes from conversations with her classmates.

“As liaisons between the Board of Education and the high school, our student representatives are a valued source for improving the operation of the school district,” said Superintendent Maureen Goldberg. “Not only does serving as a student representative provide additional opportunities in student governance, their insight into high school and community events and activities assists the board in creating an agenda that is beneficial to the entire school community.”

The student representatives say that they understand the significant investment that the community makes in their education, and want people to know that their tax dollars aren’t going to waste. Von Runnen said it is important to show the board and the public that “we’re actually doing stuff with the money.”

Latif said that Wantagh has many high-achieving students, citing a recent National Merit Scholar semifinalist, and the community should know about them. “We’re definitely proud of our community, our high school and our accomplishments,” she said.

In addition to sharing news from the high school, the two said they like having the opportunity to learn more about the inner-workings of the school district. They aren’t privy to executive session discussions, but they are learning how a board meeting operates, and how the public interacts with its school leaders.

The two seniors have been active members of their school community since they were freshman. In addition to being four-year members of the General Organization, Latif is on the Science Olympiad and Enviro-thon teams, which perform in academic competitions, and von Runnen is a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Class of 2016 and the bowling team.

They are both currently exploring colleges for next year. Latif wants to study biology, and von Runnen is considering criminal justice or political science. They noted that their involvement in their high school will help them stand out on college applications.

Both also filled in at least once last year for students representative Kaitlyn Von Runnen and Meghan Daly. Brendan von Runnen, upon taking over the role this year, said he received good advice from his sister. She told him to avoid only looking at his notes while giving his report, but to make eye contact with the board and the public.

Last year, he saw the hard work she put into not only being the student representative, but leading the General Organization. “I learned a lot from that,” he said, “and how much hard work and dedication it would take.”

Latif and von Runnen both said they want to make their mark on the school as this year’s co-presidents, and build upon the success of past leaders. Among General Organization initiatives for the school year will be a toy drive in December.

It is those roles representing Wantagh High to the board and the community where they look to shine. Latif and von Runnen will give their next reports at the Oct. 8 board meeting.