CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MHS senior Ava Lucas.

(Editor’s note: Bobcat Spotlight is a recurring feature spotlighting Marshalltown High School students who are involved in activities other than traditional sports.)

As Student Senate President at Marshalltown High School, senior Ava Lucas works with the senate group to plan events to celebrate and energize MHS students.

Lucas first got involved with the group after discussing it with Student Senate Advisor Charlotte Santana.

“I wanted to be more active within the school and get involved with planning events that would excite students,” Lucas said. “I figured this was the perfect way to do so.”

Lucas is also involved with cheer, dance team, studio dance, tennis, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Student Rotarians and is the secretary of the Interact Club.

The group typically spend the first part of the year organizing and brainstorming projects and events for the year, as well as establishing cabinet positions from presidents down to secretaries.

Lucas said one of the biggest events comes right away in the school year with planning Marshalltown’s homecoming week.

“Everything from spirit week themes to the coronation night itinerary is planned by our senate members,” Lucas said. “We aim to do one event or project every month, so that we keep busy the whole year.”

The Student Senate recently held a pep assembly with the winter sports teams where captains talked about their seasons and hosted performances from the dance team and cheer squads, and a similar assembly is planned for the spring, in addition to an end-of-the-year student field day.

After graduation, Lucas is debating between attending two schools.

“I know for sure I’d like to study psychology wherever I go,” Lucas said. “I also want to stay involved and continue to better my leadership skills however I can on the college scene!”

Lucas recommends talking with herself and other student senate members to see if the group would be right for them.

“If you want to be involved and help better our school environment, there is no better way to do so than becoming a student senate member,” Lucas added.

Ava Lucas

Extracurricular activities: Cheer, Dance Team, Studio Dance, Tennis, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Secretary of Interact Club, Student Rotarians, Student Senate President!

Something I can’t go a day without: Coffee

Favorite road trip: Yellowstone National Park

Dream vacation destination: Greece

What are you listening to right now: Lots of Noah Kahan and Taylor Swift

It might surprise people that…: I love to read!

Hobbies: playing sports, art, reading, listening to music, and baking

Favorite class: Pottery

Favorite movie: “Blended”

Favorite book: “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller

Favorite phone app: VSCO or Snapchat