As Homecoming rolls around, SGA (Student Government Association) of APK [Apopka] is working hard to make sure it goes perfectly. SGA has a lot of roles in school activities that involve the student body such as Homecoming, BFF [Blue Fire Fridays], the talent show, Powderpuff, and many more.
SGA affects the school in a variety of ways. When asked how SGA affects the school, the advisor of SGA, Mr. Peters, answered, “We try to promote school spirit and pride in any way we can at AHS. New spirit shirts every year are the student government’s efforts to try and get students to embrace being a Blue Darter and our school’s proud history.” SGA sells their spirit shirts at both lunches and at morning pep rallies every Friday for $20 each.
There are only a few spirit weeks a year. One of the most popular is upon us: Homecoming 2023’s spirit week. SGA has a system when it comes to picking the theme for Homecoming and the spirit week themes. Mr. Peters told us, “The SGA officers and senate compile researched lists and suggestions to select the spirit days and Homecoming theme each year. Once that happens, the days and theme are sent to the principal for final approval.” When it comes to planning events, especially spirit week, there are important factors SGA considers, Junior Khushali Satia said, “We try to consider everyone and their accessibility to items for spirit week! We try to come up with ideas the whole school will enjoy, even staff!”
The year’s Homecoming theme is Enchanted Forest and everyone is getting excited. This year, Homecoming is on Saturday, October 14th. Once school starts, SGA is all about planning Homecoming. Mr. Peters said, “I would have to say the whole first 9 weeks that our Homecoming season occurs. Every event is like a domino. You must hit them all in the right order for it to succeed. There is no room for error.” Just like spirit week, SGA has to think about all the students as AHS and what they like. Khushali Satia added, “It’s important to get food everyone would like, as well as music, that way everyone has an enjoyable time! So yes, it takes a lot of thinking, time, and money!” This year there are many food options on the menu. There will also be a 360 photo booth, a balloon drop, and confetti cannons.
A new event that has been introduced this year is Blue Fire Fridays (BFF). There have always been events during lunches for Blue and White Fridays. But this year SGA has stepped it up so more students get involved. Mr. Peters said, “BFF is a work in progress that we are trying to improve as we go along while learning from our mistakes, like not checking best-before dates on chip bags. Trying to bring all Blue Darters together is always our primary goal!” Khushali Satia added, “It allows for people to make new friends and be competitive in a fun way!” If you win any of the prizes during, what is now called Blue Fire Fun Fridays (BFFF), you will be entered into a raffle for “one out of three all sports passes, one out of three homecoming tickets (if you are eligible to go, and one out of two yearbooks for this school year (2023-2024).” ONLY THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER.
As you can see, SGA puts together many events for the school. We asked Khushali Satia, a member of SGA, and Mr. Peters about their favorite events that SGA holds. Khushali answered, “This year I am most excited for Homecoming! The theme is perfect and the venue is amazing! SGA has put a lot of time and effort into planning homecoming and the officers and senators always try to come up with something everyone would like!” Mr. Peters answered, “Speaking for my former students I would have to say Dewey & Daisy’s Holiday Wish. The SGA buys and wraps presents for all the Pre-K & Kindergarten students at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary and delivers them with our mascots.” SGA does a lot of things for Apopka High School. They put a lot of work into most of the events at our school, to bring the student body together and have fun.
