Student Government
SGA Blog: Officers, Current Events, and Yearly Calendar
Purpose and Philosophy
Christianity molds everything in the daily activities of Harding Academy. The Student Government Association (SGA) integrates our students' spiritual life and school spirit into all aspects of school-life such as homecoming, chapels, big brother/big sisters, service projects, and Spiritual Emphasis Week. The SGA consists of four elected executive officers and five elected class officers for grades 9-12. Officers in grades seven and eight are included in any activity that involves their class.
The purpose of this organization is to promote the spirit of Christ in the attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds of our students through servant leadership. It is hoped that Harding Academy will rise to a new level of glorifying God by teaching student leaders how to behave in a Christ-like manner as they encourage, motivate, and inspire those that they have been chosen to lead. Our prayer is that the elected student leaders will always strive to put God first in the decisions made that will impact our school and community.
SGA Activities
Summer Planning Retreat
All SGA sponsored events get started at the summer planning retreat. During the month of June, when other students are deep into their vacations and thoughts of Homecoming, Penny Wars, and Spiritual Emphasis Week are miles away; the SGA Executive Officers and Class Officers are planning for the upcoming school year. While on this three-day retreat, the students spend time organizing all of the details of each event that SGA sponsors during the first semester of school. Time in devotionals, singing, and praying for every student at Harding Academy is a big part of this retreat. The summer planning retreat is hard work, but very worthwhile.
New Student Party
The New Student Party is designed to give every student who is new to Harding Academy a chance to meet one anther and the SGA members before school begins. We have found that it is very beneficial for students to know some friendly faces on the first day of classes as they walk down the halls of an unfamiliar school. The format for the New Student Party is an informal time of playing "ice breakers," eating together, and just hanging out.
Big Brother/Big Sister Day
Getting adjusted to life on the Cherry Road campus is the goal on this first day of school for new students. On this day, all new students are assigned a junior or senior to give them advice and tips on the "in happenings." Such things as "how to get your locker combination to work and what to do if it doesn't," "what is the best short cut from Coach Banker's Geography class to Mrs. Hawley's English class to avoid a tardy," "how does the lunch line operate," and "what day is chocolate cookie day" are very important to find out.
Chapel Kick-Off Week
With input from the administration and faculty, the spiritual theme for the school year is announced and explored during this week with daily chapels. Special speakers and student-performed skits are just a few of the many ways this special week is introduced to the students at the beginning of the year.
Spiritual Emphasis Week
This week is planned in the spring to celebrate our ongoing spiritual journey and to give honor to the spiritual mentors in the lives of Harding's students. Daily chapels are designed to uplift and encourage students to be true to Christ's Biblical principles and teachings.
Homecoming Week
The event that always gets the school year at Harding Academy off to a tremendous start is Homecoming. Students spend many hours planning and preparing for this week that will allow them to create memories that will last a lifetime. Classes compete in several different categories including Posters, Skits, Locker Decorations, Banners and Overall Spirit. Judges observe the student work all week and give the classes points in each category based on craftsmanship, cooperation, staying within the Homecoming guidelines, placing school spirit over class spirit, and the ability to display the "fruits of the spirit." The class with the most points at the end of the week has its name engraved on the Homecoming Championship Trophy. Each year the Student Council works hard to create a Homecoming theme with a spiritual twist so that God will be glorified in all that we do during this special week.
January Sr. High Retreat
As the second semester begins, this two day retreat for senior high students refocuses students on "being there for the little things" to finish out the school year in a positive manner as Christ would want us to do. Usually held the third weekend in January, it is always a delightful get-a-way, no matter the weather.
King and Queen of Hearts Activities
King and Queen of Hearts Week celebration is our winter homecoming event culminating with the crowning of our King and Queen at our boys basketball game. The King and Queen of Hearts Court consists of a boy and girl representative for each grade, 7-11, and three couples representing the senior class. The King and Queen are a senior couple elected by the student body.
Spring Service Project
The Cherry Road campus raises money for such efforts as rebuilding homes in India, funding Belize children's missions, supporting the village of Hope in Ghana, Africa, and aiding local charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, AGAPE Child and Family Services, and HopeWorks.