It’s Tuesday at lunch. Groups of upperclassmen sit around the staff lounge as assistant principal Karen Hyde drifts around, speaking with some of the 23 or so students. The topics range from anti-bullying approaches to updates about business or other leaders coming to speak on campus.

The leadership class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch in the staff lounge to plan various fundraisers and events for the school. The class counts as 2.5 credits per semester, but do not meet during a regular period. The leadership class’ projects from last year include the Princess Project, a prom dress drive for girls that cannot afford their own, and Challenge Day, a school event in which a group of students have the opportunity to connect emotionally with their peers.

“We’re hoping to bring diversity and seminars and workshops,” said junior Sasan Saadat, a member of the leadership class. “Getting people to work together on issues like the sophomores. It is not really a sophomore problem, but we want to approach the issues that are on campus, improving school culture and school spirit.”

Head commissioner Varsha Ramesh also said that leadership was brainstorming ways to deal with the school’s social issues.

“So far, we’ve been working on events to promote better citizenship at school and discourage bullying,” Ramesh said.

Leadership planned an In-N-Out fundraiser in November.

“Basically, it’s to bring classes together,” Saadat said. “To have everyone stay on campus and eat some good food.”

The leadership class is also planning to bring in a business, technology, political or social leader to speak to students. According to Saadat, the talk would be open to the first 50 or so students to sign up.

“We haven’t pin-pointed a speaker yet,” Saadat said.

The current leadership class selects the next year’s class.

“Leadership is a selective group,” Saadat said. “People turn in application forms that show how they have leadership qualities or want to improve their leadership qualities.”
Saadat said that Leadership is fairly low-profile.

“We are the kind of group that no one really knows about,” Saadat said. “We’re like Dumbledore’s army—we’re Hyde’s army. She always talks about how we are the example, not the exception. We try to go to school events and be really spirited.”

Ramesh said she enjoys helping the school run.

”I enjoy helping make the community better and giving back to the school because I have enjoyed my time here at Saratoga High so much,” Ramesh said.