At GHS, there are a number of student-run organizations covering a myriad of topics. From Student Council to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, students participate in different groups to get real life skills.

Although student-run programs are important to social life and development of the school, there can be downsides. Student-run groups provide a space for students to express themselves and participate in different activities. Although this is good for students, the adults involved can ruin these experiences without realizing it. Faculty who oversee these groups can take more power and control over the groups than needed. Groups, such as the Student Council, are nearly 100 percent student-run, and this is how all groups should be. Students enjoy planning activities for their peers, and events run by students are more enjoyable when we as a student body are able to do what we want within the guidelines. Allowing students to take the front seat in running the organizations leads to students learning leadership skills and gaining overall confidence.

An issue that student groups have improved in recent years has been the ability to share information with student media and the student body. These groups that effectively share information tend to have better response from students when events happen. Students are better prepared, and often there is a larger turnout when the student body is made more aware of the event happening. Doing this results in more exposure for the groups, and students who would not know about the organizations are able to learn more through the newspaper, announcements and social media. The groups that do share information with student media tend to be more successful.

The upperclassmen of these groups should take charge and show the underclassmen how to be effective leaders. They should not bully the younger kids or keep them out of group discussions; their opinions should be heard. The students participating in every student run group across the school should be doing just that. 

In conclusion, the groups who are effectively being run by students tend to be more successful, have better events and are overall better for the school socially. Groups who can work together and inform the student body lead to a healthier school and a better living, learning environment.