They are the voices heard on morning announcements. They are the ones leading the pledge at school assemblies and conducting meetings with classroom reps. They brainstorm fundraisers for the school and lend a helping hand to both students and teachers. 

Who are these students? They are ASB officers. 

The Associated Student Body, often referred to as simply ASB, is the entire student body of a given school. Students at Greenacres and Liberty Lake elementary schools voted last spring on officers who would serve together as a leadership crew for the coming school year. While their responsibilities vary depending on the school, both groups of ASB officers shared different ways they will represent their schools and be a voice for students.

"Everybody knows who you are when you're an ASB officer," Lucy Lynn, LLES president, said. "I want kids to look up to me."

Being a positive role model was a common reason many of the ASB officers decided to run for office. Others heard it was a fun experience, while some mentioned following in the footsteps of older brothers or sisters. 

"My older siblings ran for office, so I wanted to run too," said LLES treasurer Miles Daines. 

Once the school year starts, the groups will determine goals for the year and work on their leadership skills. In addition to helping with announcements, assemblies and fundraisers, the officers meet regularly with school advisors and representatives from different classrooms to discuss issues.

While some students may have reconsidered running for office when they learned they had to give up some lunch recess times for meetings, others felt differently.

"I'm looking forward to the meetings so I can miss recess," said Corinne Westby, LLES secretary. "But I also want to meet all the teachers and help them out."

Prior to running for office, students had to complete a number of steps to show they were committed to performing the responsibilities. Teachers had to give approval in order for students to run, and then the kids prepared speeches on their own time to present to their fellow students. 

Representatives were randomly selected from elementary classes to listen and grade speeches by those running for office. This helped whittle down each position to a few candidates, whose speeches were recorded and played for the entire student body for a vote. Final candidate were also allowed to hang campaign posters in the schools.

In addition to the meetings and morning announcements, connecting with the student body is a key part of the job description. 

"I want to meet all the kids in the school and help them out in the hallways," said Srikar Surapaneni, LLES sergeant at arms. 

Responsibility is a big character trait that ASB officers should possess. 

"We do a lot of things for the school, but we are sure to get our work done," said Alex Stewart, LLES vice president.

Other officers mentioned traits such as kindness, respectfulness and the ability to reach out to others since many of their duties involve being a helper to teachers and encouraging other students to get involved in school activities.

And each officer has opinions on what he or she would like to accomplish during the coming year, whether it be coming up with exciting fundraisers, fun spirit days or other activities in the school.

"I'm looking forward to doing the morning announcements, but I would also like to start more clubs at the school," said Ethan Brewer, GES vice president.   

GES treasurer Gavin Shoemaker said he would like to do a fundraiser for new school equipment. 

"We need to replace some balls at the school that are tearing apart," he said.

A common thread among each group of ASB officers is admiration for the teachers they get a chance to come alongside and assist in the coming year.

"The teachers are really nice and have fun with us," GES president Kylie Johnson said. "They do fun things like dress up for the holidays."

But the students are what motivates the ASB officers to give their time and energy to the cause. 

"Besides the teachers being nice, students are responsible and respectful to one another," added GES secretary Graycynn Fiala.

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