I am running for SBO Secretary because I love Cottonwood! I want to help increase the inclusivity at our school and help every student to feel included throughout each school activity. I want help come up with new ideas for activites that all students can enjoy and feel like they can be a part of. Throughout my education, experiences, and involvements, I have learned how to become organized, communicative, and dependable which help qualify me for this position. I am a hardworking student who is goal-focused, and I know that I can be fully immersed in finding new ways to include students at Cottonwood and keep strong organization throughout Student Government. I plan to represent Cottonwood positively as I keep a good attitude, strong school spirit, and a focus on making sure all Colts feel loved and seen!
My first initiative I want to work on next year is helping to include everyone at Cottonwood throughout all activities. I want to make sure that when activities are being planned, all students at Cottonwood are being kept in mind to help make sure everyone feels like they can be a part of them. My second initiative I want to work on next year is keeping things organized throughout planning and activities. I want to make sure that things run smoothly with the least stress possible, helping to keep things positive and exciting.
To me, being a Colt means to be a family. When you are a Colt, you are a part of the Cottonwood family that loves and cares for you, wanting you to succeed. Colts are also hardworking, especially in their schoolwork, sports, performing arts, clubs, etc. The hardworking effort our Colts put in shows, and has helped to grow Cottonwood.
I want to work closely with students around me to help come up with ideas of things they like and enjoy. By gathering information from other students at school, it can help guide me into developing ideas that everyone can enjoy. I want everyone to feel heard and to feel they belong at all Cottonwood activities. So, it is important that I find out what Cottonwood students would like and enjoy doing.
Finding motivation throughout the school year to get work done and not miss school can be hard. But, my best advice is to focus on your future. When you keep in mind the goals you have and the things you want to achieve, it will help motivate you to work harder. Working towards your future starts now, and if you choose to start putting in the work, you will find it easier to reach the goals you have for your future.
An important quality that makes a great leader is courage to make hard decisions. Sometimes, you run into difficult situations and have to make a hard decision. But, a leader who can make choices that will benefit the group the best, is a great leader. Another important quality that makes a great leader is communication. A great leader listens and includes everyone’s ideas. They communicate clearly to help everything flow as best as possible.
My strongest leadership quality is dependability. I make it my priority to show up and miss things the least I possibly can. If someone is looking for help from me on a task big or small, I will be there to help. If someone is counting on me for something, I strive to do everything I can to meet their needs and wants with my full effort.
SBO Secretary Task
Create a sample list of groups at Cottonwood that could participate in a school assembly and write a sample email asking if they would like to participate. Additionally, create a simple outline of a Homecoming Assembly script. (Typically the Homecoming Assembly involves competition games between grades and includes a dance performance by the combined dance groups.)
Sample list of groups at Cottonwood that could participate in a school assembly:
Band
Orchestra
Choir
CHS ballroom
Dance Company
Drill team
Cheer team
Emails asking if they would like to participate:
Band: Hello Cottonwood Band! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am emailing to see if you would be interested in performing in our upcoming assembly. We would love it if you would like to perform a song or two. Please let me know if you would be available and interested!
Orchestra: Hello Cottonwood Orchestra! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am emailing to see if you would like to perform in our upcoming assembly. It would be greatly appreciated if you would be interested in performing a song or two. Let me know if you are interested and would be available to perform!
Choir: Hello Cottonwood Choir! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am reaching out to see if you would be interested in performing at the upcoming assembly. We would love it if you would be interested in singing and performing a song for us. Let me know if this sounds like something you would be open to and are available for!
CHS ballroom: Hello Cottonwood Ballroom! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am contacting you to see if you would like to perform at our upcoming assembly. We would greatly appreciate it if you are open to performing a number for us. Please let me know if you would be available and are interested!
Dance Company: Hello Cottonwood Dance Company! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am reaching out to see if you are interested in performing at our upcoming assembly. We would love it if you would like to perform a number for us. Let me know if you would be available and are open to the idea!
Drill team: Hello Cottonwood Drill team! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am contacting you to see if you would like to perform at our upcoming assembly. We would greatly appreciate it if you would like to perform a routine for us. Please let me know if you are interested and would be available!
Cheer team: Hello Cottonwood Cheer team! My name is Harlowe Telford, and I am reaching out to see if you would like to perform in our next assembly. We would love it if you would be open to performing a routine or a cheer for us. Let me know if you will be available and if you are interested!
Outline of a Homecoming Assembly script:
(Student Government member) Welcome to the 2026 Homecoming Assembly! I am (Student Government member's name) and I am your (grade and student government position.) At today’s assembly, we want to celebrate the end of an exciting week of Homecoming festivities by competing as grades in a series of games. We are so excited to have some fun today and see your Cottonwood spirit shine! Let’s get into the games!
(SBO’s chosen game) Welcome colts to the Homecoming Assembly! I am (SBO’s name) and I am your (SBO position.) We are excited to start playing some games. For our first game, we will be playing (SBO’s chosen game.) Coming around will be other SBO’s choosing (amount of students needed) from each grade. Please raise your hand if you would like to participate!
(Gather the selected students, explain the rules, and run through the game.)
We have a winner! The (winning grade) won and has earned the first point. We are now going to move on to our next game!
(Sophomore class officer’s chosen game) Hi Colts! We are excited to get into our second game. My name is (Sophomore class officer’s name) and I am your (class officer position.) For this game we will be playing (Sophomore class officer’s chosen game.) Our other Sophomore class officers will be coming around to select (amount of students needed) from each grade. Please raise your hand if you would like to participate!
(Gather the selected students, explain the rules, and run through the game.)
The (winning grade) has won! That will add a point to their score. Get excited Colts, because we will now be getting to see a performance!
(Student government member) We now will get the opportunity to watch an exciting tradition, the Homecoming performance! Put your hands together and welcome on Dance Company, Cheer, and Drill performing their annual combined Homecoming routine!
(Freshman class officer’s chosen game) Great job to Dance Company, Cheer, and Drill for an amazing performance! We are now going to be playing our third game. My name is (Freshman class officer’s name) and I am your (class officer position.) We are going to be playing (Freshman class officer’s chosen game.) Freshman class officers will be coming around to select (amount of students needed) from each grade. Please raise your hand if you would like to participate!
(Gather the selected students, explain the rules, and run through the game.)
Our (winning grade) has won the game! That will add a point to their school. The (leading grade) is in the lead! We have two more games for our (remaining grades) to catch up!
(Senior class officer’s chosen game) Hey Colts! We are now going to be playing our next game. My name is (Senior class officer’s name) and I am your (class officer position.) For this game we will be playing (Senior class officer’s chosen game.) Our Senior class officers will be coming around to choose (amount of students needed) from each grade. If you would like to play, please raise your hand!
(Gather the selected students, explain the rules, and run through the game.)
The (winning grade) has won this game! The (leading grade) has the highest score and is in the lead! We still have one more game left, so put in your full effort Colts!
(Junior class officer’s chosen game) Hi Colts! Get excited because this is our last game and your last chance for your grade to win our annual Homecoming grade games competition! My name is (Junior class officer’s name) and I am your (class position.) For this game, we will be playing (Junior class officer’s chosen game.) Your Junior class officers will be coming around to pick (amount of students needed) from each grade. Raise your hand if you want to participate!
(Gather the selected students, explain the rules, and run through the game.)
The (winning grade) has won this game! It’s time to tally up the scores and reveal the leaderboard.
(Student Government member) Thank you so much Colts for participating in today’s assembly. We have had so much fun playing games with you! But, it’s time to reveal the scores! In fourth place, we have (fourth place grade.) In third place, we have (third place grade.) In second place, we have (second place grade.) Finally, we have our 1st place winners, (first place grade.) Congratulations to our (winning grade) who won (winner’s prize.) Thank you Colts for participating in our Homecoming week! We have had so much fun celebrating with you. Don’t forget, tonight is the Homecoming football game and tomorrow night we will have our Homecoming dance. It will be so much fun, please come if you can!