Mollika Singh
front page editor

Splanning or SGA, which is better? A loaded question. Even students part of neither have strong opinions on the similar, yet very different, organizations based on each’s responsibilities, execution of those responsibilities, and representation. Strictly by demographics, SGA better represents the student body, due to student interest and acceptance practices.

According to released statistics on maryland.gov, in 2017, this school is 45.59 percent white, 36.73 percent Asian, 7.40 percent Hispanic/Latino, 6.08 percent Black/African American, 4.07 percent two races or more, and less than 1 percent American Indian/Alaska Native or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. It is 50.48 percent male and 49.52 percent female.

SGA, the Student Government Association, over-represents African American, white, multiracial and female students while under-representing Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and male students. The four multiracial students in SGA are half-white/half-Asian, half-white/ half-African American, half-African American/half-Asian and half-white/half-Hispanic.
Splanning, or Senior Planning, over-represents white, multiracial and female students while under-representing African American, Hispanic/Latino, and male students. The two multiracial students in Splanning are half-white/half-Asian.

Neither organization has any American Indian/Alaska Native or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students, though only three students total were of these groups at this school in 2017.

A member of Splanning who preferred to remain anonymous has a theory about the overwhelming white, female representation. “I think that demographic has always just taken interest in class activities because girls are more likely to be good at arts/the stuff we have to make for Homecoming and also, a lot of the white girls in Splanning are friends with each other so that’s also a reason a lot of them joined,” she said.

A member of SGA confirmed that making the association racially representative of the school is an important factor in the selection process, which may be why it is relatively more representative.

Splanning leader, senior class president Keerat Singh understands the role of the organization at the school. “Splanning is basically the representative of the whole senior class and plans several of the senior activities throughout the year including the homecoming hallway/float, Senior Breakfast, POTH, TNL, Senior Picnic, prom, graduation, and general fundraising stuff like bake sales and pep rally face painting,” she said.

Class planning for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are each clubs. “With Senior Planning we actually have a class period just because there’s so much to do. People who aren’t in the class have the option to help with Splanning activities but not that many people do,” Singh said.

SGA co-president Aaron Lazar understands the role of SGA. “SGA’s main purpose is to create an atmosphere where students enjoy coming to school. We plan events throughout the year that deal with mental health and try to promote a happy way of life,” Lazar said.

Both classes attract people looking for a fun, spirited class. “I think most people who do Splanning just want a fun, easy class and are excited about senior year and want to hype the class up,” Singh said.

SGA has similar intents. “We enjoy making positive change for our school/community. It is also a great way to have fun and meet people you may normally not be close friends with,” Lazar said.

During class, both SGA, taught by social studies teacher Fevronia Cresham, and Splanning, taught by English teachers Michelle Hanson and Sarah Debnam, break into committees for their upcoming events or projects.