Walter M. Williams High School - Student Government, Service, and Engagement

Student Government, Service, and Engagement

During the 1960s, an intricate student government orgazation was in place that maximized student potential and manpower. The student body's constitution, adopted in 1965 and signed by then principal Jesse W. Harrington, hangs in the East Spiral Stairwell, just off the main floor. In addition to the representative body, an executive board and an inter-club council was in place. The inter-club council was responsible for approving all new student organizations. Various committees allowed students to have the opportunity to have a direct influence on creating a sense of school community, and oversee the student government election process, and activities such as homecoming. In addition, students provided leadership through serving as hall monitors, parking lot monitors, and in an advisory capacity to the cafeteria management. At one time, a diversity task force helped address issues surrounding integration in the early 1970s. A Student Voice committee provided an avenue by which students and administration could dialogue on issues of mutual concern. The Student Government Association also ran a school store, located in the East (or Administrative) Wing, just off the Main Hall. Though the store no longer operates, a sign reading "School Store" still hangs over the door, and just inside the door a shelf comes down where transactions took place. Just inside the door to the left are the names of Student Government officers who operated the store. The room is now used for storage and technology support. A 1960s era manuscript of the student body constituton, signed by Principal Jesse W. Harrington, hangs in the east spiral stairwell just off the main floor.

During the integration of the Jordan Sellars student body into the Williams campus, a task force of six students each from the former Sellars student body and Williams laid the groundwork for combining the traditions and rules of the two schools into one. In the fall of 1974, the students instituted the Senate-House system of student government (not in place as of 2009-10).

Students participate in summer leadership programs such as Boys State and the Hugh O'Brien Leadership Seminar. In addition, students serve in leadership roles for the Alamance Youth Leadership Academy, an initiative to teach leadership skills to area middle school students. Since 1999, students have also participated in the Congressional Youth Leadership Council.