Leadership
7th and 8th grade students can take Leadership, also known as Student Council.
Leadership students learn about the characteristics, attributes, and skills that encompass good leadership. They engage in discussions and debates, plan school activities, and provide service to their school and their classmates.
They've help organize or participated in the following:
- Honoring the Students of the Month
- Tutoring and mentoring students in the Special Needs Room
- Leading Visitors Day tours
- Creating the Veterans Day Showcase
- Attending a Leadership Seminar at Disneyland
- Organized a Canned Food Drive for needy families.
- Preparing holiday gift bags for the Mar Vista group home
- Helping with the Black History Program
- Delivering Candy Grams
- Touring Los Angeles City Hall and the new Hall of Justice
- Meeting Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey
- Raising money for Student Body activities
- Organizing School Dances
- Organizing Palms Pride Days and Spirit Week
- Participating in Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Asian Pacific Heritage Month
- Helping with morning announcements
- Running the Student Body Election and participating in Campaign Week
Some Leadership students participate on the Local School Leadership Council (LSLC).
2023-2024 Student Body Officers
- President: Westin Hama
- Vice President: Allison Lai
- Treasurer: Henry Hefler
- Secretary: Alyssa Ho
- Commissioner of Activities: Marvin Elkins
Student Body Offices
All Leadership students are eligible to run for student body office.
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Commissioner of Activities
Only 8th graders can run for Student Body President.
For descriptions of the positions, see the Student Body Election page.
Eligibility
Any 7th or 8th graders with a grade no lower than a B and no U's may apply to be in Leadership. You will need to be able to participate in after-school activities and attend after-school functions.
Students must receive an application from Ms. Rivera, Leadership Coordinator.
The completed application requires parent and teacher approval, grades from the last grading period, and a 200-word essay.
Responsibilities of Leadership Students
- To promote respect for our school.
- To make policies concerning student activities to build better school spirit and participation.
- To discuss and recommend solutions to problems that concern the students of Palms Middle School.
- To help raise money for Palms Middle School activities and spend the funds for the benefit of all students at Palms Middle School.
- To attend and actively participate in all Leadership meetings and activities.
- To complete school/community service outside of class.
- To be a leader who does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do (in any way).
- To maintain good academics and citizenship all year.
Leadership Applications for the 2024-2025 school year
Applications available: February 2024 in the Counseling office
Applications due: March or Early April 2024
Spring 2024 Field Trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Leadership Center
Leadership Photos
Palms Leadership students talk to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at City Hall. They discussed the state of Los Angeles, civic duty, leadership skills, and community service.
Palms Leadership students pose with Sheriff James McDonnell at the Hall of Justice. The students also met with District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
Leadership Class meets Jackie Lacey, the first woman and first African-American to serve as Los Angeles County District Attorney. Ms. Lacey leads a staff of 1,000 lawyers and 300 crime investigators.
See Also
- Sixth Grade Leadership elective, for 6th grade students
- Past Student Body Officers (2014-2022)
Be a Leader!
Please support the student fundraisers that pay for activities directed by Student Leadership.