Teamwork takes the lead

New adviser brings energy, collaboration to student council

Collaborating with her students, new StuCo advisor Ally Hall creates a poster for the pep assembly.

By Darby Merkel and Allison Swett

January 15, 2026

Student Council is shifting gears this year and trying to increase their participation with the addition of new adviser Ally Hall.

“I’m co-leading with Andy Brady, and I think there’s a huge emphasis on the two of us doing it together and not having one person take the lead more than someone else, although I am learning a ton from her,” Hall said. “Everything that we do this year is a huge learning process for me.”

In past years, StuCo has been seen by many has having low attendance rates and not much productivity. Under new leadership, StuCo member Magnolia McIntyre-Stauber (11) is pleased with the increased workload the group is taking on.

“I really like the job that is being done by our co-presidents now,” she said. “We’ve basically done things a lot more than we did last year because last year was more relaxed, and this year it’s more work-heavy.”

The feeling of heightened work rings true with Hall, too.

“I think the attendance is better in that there are more students engaging in bigger projects, projects that take a little bit longer, projects that involve more whole-school type stuff,” she said. “The participation is a lot more than what it used to be.”

StuCo is focusing on Wish Week and Winter Ball in the following months.

Co-president Harper Dunn (12) knows leading a change this significant isn’t easy, and there is still a lot more progress to be made in this classroom culture shift.

“It can be hard sometimes, honestly, because all the people in StuCo are very strong-minded,” Dunn said. “They’re very independent, and they have their own opinions. There’s a lot of compromising, but it’s definitely worth it, because when we can get something to work, it’s very satisfying.”

About the Contributors

Darby Merkel, Staff Writer

For Darby Merkel (9), life is like baking. More, of one thing, less of another. All for an outcome that you get to enjoy and share with others. “I bake a lot,” Merkel said, “You get something out of it and you get to share too, I like that you can do that in newspaper too.” After meeting a Language Arts teacher who enhanced her love of writing and telling others stories, Merkel knew she had to continue her newspaper journey. “I mean, I don’t like math and I don’t like science,” said Merkel, “I’ve always just liked writing.” Merkel hopes to spend time on the newspaper staff, growing her love of writing. “I’m excited to see how I can tell people’s stories, and take it a step up from the writing I’ve always known,” Merkel said.

Allison Swett, Staff Writer

Finding your happiness is such a crucial part in everyone’s life. As you walk through the halls of elementary to middle into high school onto the side walks it is an endless search. Allison Swett (9) has been finding her place as she transitions into the welcoming environment of Monarch. “Just finding who I am, Who I am as a person.” Allison said “hanging out with friends. I just feel like that’s when I’m the most me.” In middle school Allison worked with a group called Sources of strength. A group meant to bring awareness to suiside and help prevent it from having places in our schools. She started this group in seventh grade after getting nominated and continued to make a difference till the club got defunded by BVSD. Since then she has taken part in the Louisville Dolphins swim team. finding friends in both groups that will move with her throughout high school. ” well, at its core, it’s a suicide prevention club, but it’s mainly, at least at LMS is more like positivity around the school”. she said Bringing positivity and awareness throughout schools is such an important part to keeping a healthy environment and Allison has come into Monarch already having skills to deal with that. She describes herself as a talkative funny person being able to be bold and timid in different moments. “I make myself laugh” she said ” I talk a lot. I think I’m a lot funnier than I am in reality. Like things sound much funnier in my head and then I say them and I’m like oh no but it’s still funny.” She characterizes herself as the color pink due her ability to show different sides of her personality. Whether it is being funny, being helpful, being bold Allison is right there with you being herself. ” I say pink. It’s my favorite. But also, because I feel like in some situations, I can be more red when I am bold, and then sometimes I’m more timid, so it’s white.”

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