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A Year of Firsts: Middle School Student Council Celebrates its Inaugural Year

The inaugural year of the Middle School Student Council was more than just a series of meetings; it was a year defined by the vision and drive of students who refused to wait for "tomorrow" to make a difference. Led by President Navya Gala, Vice-President Max Monat, 6th-grade representative Aanya Chadha, Treasurer Lea Wang, and Secretary Joey Roman, the group set out to turn ideas into reality.

Advisor Mrs. Christine DiBiase’s vision for the group was to show the students how they can make an immediate impact on their community through engagement. “My goal for starting a student council organization at Ranney for the Middle School level was to get kids thinking about what it takes to make a difference in our community.”

“I wanted students to understand that they can make a difference at any age,” said DiBiase. “Beyond just thinking about ideas, Student Council is a great way for kids to see the steps it takes to achieve their goals. The students learn the work that goes into planning, because while it can be easy to come up with ideas, it can be more challenging to make them a reality. I want them to understand the process of brainstorming, agreeing on an attainable goal, breaking it down into actionable steps, and making it happen.”

“I'm just completely blown away by this group and the work they have done this year,” said Middle School Head Mrs. Marisa Mendez. “It's hard to believe that this is our first year of having a student council in the Middle School because they are already such a huge part of our daily culture. I couldn't be more grateful to Ms. DiBiase for the enthusiastic and generous way she has taken on this work, and I am so impressed with the energy and joy that the students have brought to every event this year. They have made our division and our school even stronger, and I can't wait to see what they do next year!”

The momentum began in October with the excitement of new elections. Once the team was formed, they hit the ground running. October saw the executive board surprising students with "Reverse Trick-or-Treating," setting a playful tone for the year. By November, they were deep into their mission, collecting nearly 9,000 pieces of candy for the Ronald McDonald House. This was followed by their first major fundraiser, "Gratitude Grams," which connected students and staff, while a heartfelt "Gratitude Video" highlighted the community's shared appreciation for their school.

As winter arrived, the council’s influence grew. In December, students crafted holiday cards for hospital patients, bringing warmth to those in need. During the holiday season, "Candy Cane Grams" turned lunch periods into hubs of festivity and raffle-ticket excitement. Their professional development also took flight as they attended the NJASC Fall Conference and Winter Convention, where they honed their fundraising and event-planning skills.

“A few things I learned in student council are how to be a good leader, how to speak confidently in public, and how to work well with others to solve problems,” said Aanya Chada.
Spring brought a whirlwind of impactful activities. February focused on the community with a book drive for Open Door, while simultaneously fostering school safety with a CPR and AED training session for over 60 students, a tribute to the late Janet Zilinski. March blossomed with "Kindness Rocks" scattered across campus and the mischievous "Leprechaun Week" that delighted peers during lunch and recess.

The council’s dedication culminated in an April and May surge. They organized a high-energy Egg Toss at the Spring Pep Rally, planted a Princeton Elm as a "Liberty Tree" to celebrate NJ250, and engaged in a massive beach cleanup with Clean Ocean Action. 

“My favorite Student Council activity was the beach clean-up because it gave us the opportunity to help the community and make a positive impact on the environment,” said President Navya Gala. “I am most proud of the events and activities we organized throughout the year that brought students together and increased school spirit. Our group was dedicated, hardworking, and collaborative, always willing to support one another. Through Student Council, I learned valuable leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will help me in the future.” 

At the end of the year, the Student Council partnered with Love A Stranger to write "Olive Branch Letters" for eating disorder support. The group also promoted their upcoming spring elections with a delicious donut sale, proving that even their promotional events could serve a purpose.

“We are a group of very smart and talented leaders who all contribute to our success as a student council, by bringing different views and perspectives to the table in order to plan great fundraisers and events for the Ranney Middle School,” said Max Monat. “Everybody volunteers to take time out of their day which says so much about the student council's dedication to our community.”  

Throughout the year, their work wasn't just about events, it was about culture. Max Monat’s suggestion box became a vital channel for every student’s voice. Whether they were receiving awards at the NJASC Spring Awards Program at Six Flags or simply decorating locker pods, the council members proved that middle school students are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are powerful, capable, and compassionate leaders of today.

Mrs. DiBiase told the students that she sees them as leaders today. “They don’t have to sit back and wait for adults to make changes or wait until they are older to feel they are taken seriously, they can make a difference and an impact now.”

“My goal is for them to look around and see what needs to be done, and then come up with a plan to do it themselves. As it has been said, ‘You never have to ask anyone for permission to lead. When you want to lead, you lead.’” And that sense of engagement, empowerment, and action is what Mrs. DiBiase hopes to impart in all students who participate in the Student Council.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.