What is MASC? Four letters could mean a combination of so many things, but in this case, stand for the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils. But MASC is so much more than its acronym. It is a collection of student councils from all over the state that operates under an executive board composed of a select few of these same students. Every year, MASC holds a conference in the spring that is packed with events, workshops, and activities that keep all of Massachusetts’ student leaders busy and excited. During the three- day conference, you are able to meet tons of new friends from all over the state, learn all about different events and fundraisers held at other schools, take part in many fun projects and activities, and hear from a handful of student leaders and inspiring motivational speakers. It is a fantastic experience that every student council member would be fortunate to attend!

All of the HHS students who were a part of this year’s MASC spring conference would definitely agree with me when I say that the MASC experience is one that is too incredible to be described in a few paragraphs. This year, Hanover was represented by 10 students: Brian Meehan, Mikayla Matheson, Emma Stone, Matt Jillett, Emily Teidke, Haley Martin, Maya Collins, Lauren Murray, Dante Nicotera, and myself, along with Hanover’s two student council advisors, Mr. Hegarty and Mr. Centorino. As the conference was at the Hyannis Resort and Conference Center, we lodged in the Cape Codder Resort during the two nights spent away from home.

The first day was filled with campaigning for elections to the 2014-2015 MASC executive board, which were held the following day. Hanover was fortunate to be represented in the election by Lauren Murray, who ran on a Disney-themed campaign for president, complete with fairy tale shirts, a larger-than-life campaign sign, and golden star beaded necklaces passed out to conference attendees before voting time. The first night also included a multitude of fun events, including a lip-synch contest in which towns competed against each other with creative dance moves and synchronized acts to popular songs. There was also a school spirit dance and karaoke available for participation, and earlier, a motivational speaker who was interactive, influential, and undoubtedly inspiring. The next day was filled with various workshops run by student council members statewide. Every workshop was brimming with new people to meet and fun games to play to get to know those around you and learn how to be a better leader. You truly are introduced to many new situations and experiences that change your perspectives on many things about leadership, and just life in general. After another session with a guest speaker, the second night was capped off with a banquet and a dance, where everyone dresses in formal wear, eats stuffed chicken, hears speeches from leaders and advisors alike, and finally, congregates on the dance floor under the pulsating lights of a DJ booth. Finally, the third and final day arrives as a bittersweet ending, bringing sad goodbyes from new friends and a chance to look back on all of the memories made before embarking on the long bus ride home.

And what fond memories they truly were… Although Lauren Murray did not win her election, I think she’d agree that MASC was a fantastic experience that we will never forget. All of the workshops, activities, events, speakers, and new faces left an impression on me that will never go away. I left MASC a better leader and happier individual, and it is definitely something I recommend attending in the future, and something that I will definitely be returning to in a year’s time.

As the days begin to grow longer and birds can be heard chirping in the trees, it is time once again for the annual spring sophomore class auction. The auction will be hosted this year by the student council members of the class of 2016, organized by President Andrea Bilton, Vice President John Carroll, Treasurer Sarah Ryan, and Secretary Emma Hardy. The class officers received additional help and guidance from the sophomore class adviser Mrs. Turner.

Every year, it is up to the tenth graders to appeal to local businesses for donations of gift cards, products, or services to be auctioned or raffled off. Hanover residents have been very generous with donations ranging from photography sessions to interior design consults, to an acoustic guitar!

“There will be an online auction running from April 5 -12, and a silent auction and raffle on April 12,” said Bilton.

The big ticket items will be auctioned off as they are expected to generate a larger revenue, while gift cards and small baskets can be won in the raffle. The silent auction and raffle will be held April 12 at the Hanover Mall. The other ongoing auction will take place on a website created by the officers and linked to the Hanover Public Schools website, allowing interested parties to place bids and receive notification if they can lay claim to the item being sold. Student council members are optimistic about this year’s auction and expect a good turnout.

“The money we raise will help our class pay for events such as prom and senior week,” explained treasurer Sarah Ryan.

By donating to or helping orchestrate the event, Hanover High School students are giving back to their class and helping to improve their own high school experience.

For more information or to donate, contact hhsstuco@gmail.com

By Cate Marchetti

Ask any Hanover High School student about their idea of the Caribbean, and they will assuredly gush about swimming with dolphins and giant sea turtles, laying in the sand at a world class resort, or horseback riding next to the gorgeous cerulean blue sea. Growing up in in a relatively affluent region of the world, our view of Latin America and the Caribbean Islands is jaded by the pristine and secure tourist destinations students in Hanover have visited on cruises or over February break, or have seen on television. Were we to venture outside of the perfectly trimmed and polished gated communities of the hotels, however, many people would be shocked by the poverty of the vast majority living in that area of the world. In Latin America, 57 million people live on less than one dollar a day, and in Guatemala only 48 percent of children are enrolled in primary schools as a result of having to work to help support their families.

In July 2014, a group of 10 Hanover High School Student Council members and chaperones will take part in a week-long service trip through the organization Mir Pace to the rural village of Tamahú, Guatemala. Indigenous Mayan families living in Tamahú are struggling to grow enough food just to nourish their own families, and, to make matters worse, were struck recently by the tropical storm Agatha, destroying much of the village’s food supply. Student Council members partaking in the trip will assist in home construction and repairs in addition to sanitation projects to help improve water quality and prevent diseases. A community garden project will help to feed people of the village during the off-harvest of the coffee season, when the risk for starvation is at its highest. In an educational respect, the students will interact with the children attending local schools. Through students’ efforts, the people of Tamahú will have a more comfortable and safer life.

This summer will mark the first service trip Hanover High School has participated in. Organized by the senior class vice president Emma Stone and Mr. Hegarty, HHS will join many surrounding towns such as Scituate and Hingham in their efforts to better the world at an international level. I became interested in the trip because it was something new and different. I love learning about new cultures, and being able to experience another part of the world in a safe and beneficial way sounded like the perfect opportunity. I can not wait to help the people of Tamahú and experience what it is like to live among them!

The total cost for the service project is $2,000 per student.To fund raise for the trip, Student Council members have hosted a successful soccer clinic at the Synergy Sports Complex and plan to take part in a “dough-raisers” campaign at Papa Gino’s Pizza and Uno’s Pizzeria on Tuesday, March 4th. The group had also started a page on gofundme.com and all profits collected will benefit the group as a whole.

If interested in donating or learning more about the organization, go to www.mirpace.org