The Howard County Association of Student Councils, known as HCASC, brings together students across the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to discuss leadership and government. HCASC strives to empower students with opportunities to engage and lead in their schools and communities. Students can participate in monthly, student-run meetings on the second Wednesday of every month. On May 12th the General Assembly meeting theme was “Looking Ahead” into next year. After much hard work, Dhriti Vadlakonda, Harshia Bhagat, Sherya Dinesh, Allie Liu, and Ashna Pandya have been elected as the 2021-2022 officer team.
Dhriti Vadlakonda, the new President, previously served as the corresponding secretary, director of the communication task force, and social media manager of HCASC. As HCASC president there are several ideas that she is excited to implement for the next school year.
“I would encourage more activity and diversity in our committees. Every student should feel like they have a home in our HCASC community. This would mean encouraging a range of clubs and groups that the HCASC community supports,” Vadlakonda said.
Vadlakonda wants to broaden the group’s communications through establishing an HCASC newsletter and hosting monthly Instagram lives to update HCPSS students on leadership opportunities and events. Harshia Bhagat, the Vice President, also wishes to open channels of communications with students.
“I want to build upon communication, collaboration, and connectivity. I want to hear you and connect you guys to the student member of the board (SMOB) and the board of education members and make sure everyone is heard so we can aim for educational reform in achievable ways. Also, I want to oversee legislative affairs and create a progressive annual report,” Bhagat said.
Bhagat hails from Glenelg High School and has competed in speech and debate as well as FBLA, qualifying for Nationals in both this year. Along with actively participating in an internship for a non-profit. Bhagat wants to take her experience and utilize it as the Vice President so students’ voices are heard and represented in inclusive ways.
Bhagat wants to create a place where students can come in and learn about leadership experiences and build up their skills. She strives to talk to students, represent everyone’s voices, and build a strong bond with students across HCPSS.
Shreya Dinesh of Glenwood Middle School, the only middle school student on the officer team, has participated in speech and debate, Girl Scouts, and has attended the SMOB convention as a delegate. Dinesh wants to make sure that student’s voices are heard by bringing a younger perspective.
“I think that Howard County is missing out [the most with lack of] student voices. Students aren’t willing to speak up simply because they think they can’t do anything as a student…I think that increasing the amount of student opinions that are getting out there is very important. Along with promoting student participation,” Dinesh said.
Allie Liu, the Recording Secretary, is a dedicated member of Centennial High School speech and debate, Model UN, music mentors, and environmental Affairs Committee of HCASC. Liu has experience running meeting notes that are thorough and accurate for the Recording Secretary position.
“I love HCASC and am genuinely passionate about their cause. Having been a member for two years now and appointed staff for the last year I’ve become slowly more involved in HCASC. So I believe that I know what they are truly about amplifying the student voice so that you guys can have an impact on your community. I first joined HCASC because I admired that, so as the elected recording secretary I will continue to protect that,” Liu said.
Ashna Pandya has been Glenelg High School’s 2023 Vice President of Communications, a student delegate, appointed member of HCASC, and a member of the policy student advisory committee. During these confusing times, Pandya wants to promote student engagement through constant teamwork and organized communication.
“I’ve learned the value of representation. I have sought to make myself a better representative not just for my school but for the entire county, and I will use my experience as a collaborative communicator and as a representative who has held leadership all over the county to advocate for you,” Pandya said.
Pandya became the Corresponding Secretary because of two values: communication and representation..
Hopefully these young voices will help uplift the student body’s representation in HCPSS and allow for better policy and leadership.