It’s a Friday at 12:06 a.m., February 9, 2023. While most of the student population at Yorba Linda High School is cramming in last-minute studying or resting, the ASB class is just about finishing up decorating the big gym for the Olympics rally that awaits them in just eight hours. 

ASB, formally known as the “Associated Student Body,” does so much more than what is perceived as just the glitz and glam of cheering at sporting events or hosting rallies. There are a plethora of responsibilities for each member of the class, each of whom was not picked carelessly. I would like to highlight just a few qualities that make our ASB family at YLHS so special. 

For starters, every student who has joined ASB comes with their own unique set of skills, all with the common goal of making our campus a better place in one way or another. There are students whose passion is encouraging the student body through their cheering at football games and whose artistic abilities shine through while decorating the quad to bring life to our campus. Some students work tirelessly to plan fundraisers for their class to provide them with the tools they need to improve student life. Activities Director and ASB teacher, Mrs. Long-Gallegos, or as her students call her, Mrs. G, emphasizes the greatness of our ASB by saying, “I have been really impressed with ASB’s work ethic, enthusiasm, loyalty, and love for our school and our traditions. It’s inspiring to watch our ASB work hard to make an impact on our campus culture and improve student and staff participation.” It is ASB’s mission to do its best to provide an experience for our students that everyone can enjoy. 

Furthermore, ASB is more than just a class. After spending several days working together in the summer, followed by a four-day camp in Santa Barbara full of fun new experiences, leadership learning, and crucial bonding, ASB transforms from a class to a family. There are days when they spend several hours together, full of laughter and hard work, all for it to pay off when they see the joy on the students’ faces. ASB Ambassador Aidan Mintzer (12) states, “ASB genuinely feels like a family that takes care of each other while also working with each other to organize different events and things around campus.”

After spending so much time together, the unbreakable bonds formed truly do go beyond just a class. Additionally, ASB works diligently to plan dances and rallies months in advance. They plan our budgets for the school year and represent Yorba Linda High School in front of the entire district. Each dance YLHS students attend has been particularly planned out by a certain group of Class Officers that ran for that position the previous year. For example, this year, our Prom will be planned by Junior President Mylie Brown, Junior Vice President Kaitlyn Jamison, and Junior Secretary/Treasurer Casey Cho. Homecoming is planned by Senior Officers, and Winter Formal is planned by Sophomore Officers.

Finally, the rally commissioners start coming up with a theme months in advance, budget it, and type up a script for the emcees to read. This year, our rally commissioners Maddie Kerr, Olivia Magni, and Ethan Lee have themed this upcoming Olympics Rally as “Hunger Games.” Moreover, our ASB team will also decide on the budget for the upcoming year, which will be around June. They set major plans for purchases and divide the school’s money for each extracurricular event. Finally, ASB appoints an ambassador to serve on the Executive Board, which includes the ASB President, Vice President, Ambassador, Secretary, and Treasurer, whose job is to represent the school during PYLUSD board meetings. The person in this position plays a crucial role by being a student voice in decision-making for our campus and district. Beyond that, each member of ASB is a reflection of our school and puts in tremendous effort to do so with grace and dedication.

The Associated Student Body hopes that every person who walks onto campus feels that they are included just as much as anyone else in the entire district. I would personally like to advocate for joining the class, as it has brought me so much joy and reward. I currently serve as ASB President, where I get to be a part of such a wonderful team, and I would encourage every single person to join if they can see themselves in any part of it. As a concluding word from our Activities Director here at YLHS, “I encourage all students to get connected: join a club, come out to games and events. Go Mustangs!”