Mater Dei’s Associated Student Body (ASB) program is a leadership opportunity at Mater Dei. ASB runs and organizes all student events and represents the entirety of students to encourage school spirit and student involvement. ASB students can become more involved in the Monarch community, bond with their classmates, strengthen relationships, and learn important life skills. ASB allows students to improve working independently and in a group setting. 

ASB contains over 300 student members at Mater Dei. This includes 65 class senators, 100 freshman, 50 sophomore, 75 juniors, and 40 senior commissioners as well as three elected officers for each grade, and four all-school ASB officers. These students work year-round to help organize over 100 school-wide events each year. Their collaboration, dedication, and love for their work is demonstrated in the successful events they plan. 

This program allows ASB students to pursue new interests and improve in various areas of study. Commissioners have the option of specializing in one committee each year. Whether it is Campus Ministry or Alumni and Advancement, ASB has a job for everyone. The Class and ASB Officers, on the other hand, are elected into their positions by the greater student body and finally selected by Ms. Costa, the Executive Director of Student Activities. The ASB officers are the leading voices for the student-body because they help plan student events and work in conjunction with the faculty as liaisons to the students. The Class officers help the ASB officers, but they primarily work with their own grade level and plan their events. Senators are chosen by the officers and act as class representatives. They communicate between their fellow commissioners and their leading officers about events and activities. 

Sophomore Campus Relations Commissioner Paloma Navarro describes the admissions process for commissioners.

“I had to apply to be on ASB,” Navarro said. “I had to get enough points, and then I went to an interview to choose what commission. And then I got into [the] Campus Relations Commission. [The process] was pretty easy.” 

The commissions are a key part in how ASB operates. All of the commissioners work hand-in-hand with senators and officers to make each year a success. Each commission has various jobs and functions. Additionally, they work with faculty, alumni, and their fellow students to improve the school each year and meet the current needs of its students. 

“[In] Campus Relations, we give teachers gifts for their birthdays,” Navarro said. “We send out [a message asking] snacks that they like and then we’ll try to get those, build them, and 

then we deliver [them] to all of the teachers.”

ASB is a wonderful opportunity for community involvement. The events are a great way for the students to meet new people and form new connections with others, while having fun at the various activities. So far, ASB has planned the Freshman Dance, the Freshman Tailgate, Senior Overnight and Sunrise, and various rallies. The events are also opportunities for students to demonstrate their school spirit. 

Bryce Harnett is a freshman Cub Commissioner who has been collaborating with ASB for about two months now. He has enjoyed the activities he helped plan so far and the benefits from the program. 

“I like the events, especially the Freshman Tailgate,” Harnett said. “It was really fun and energetic, and there were a lot of people there. I really enjoy being in ASB as a commissioner. It’s really good for service hours and colleges that are interested in leaders.”

In this program, students have the opportunity to work with other students on an array of projects that benefit the school community. Students are able to understand and gain many skills that are essential in a professional work-place. They benefit from learning to collaborate with different individuals, take initiative, be responsible, and strengthen their communication and productivity. 

Executive Director of Student Activities Jeanette Costa has been working with Mater Dei’s ASB for 10 years. She explains the benefits of being on ASB.

“I really like working with ASB,” Costa said. “We’ve got over 300 [students] on ASB, and it’s such a variety of personalities I get to work with.”

While many various fun activities have already been held this year, ASB still has an array of unique events that will occur throughout the remainder of the year. This year, the team is hoping for the most successful year yet. Not only are the activities fun and enjoyable, they are also unique and special to the Monarch community. 

“I’ve really enjoyed what we’ve done this year,” Costa said. “The Senior Overnight was amazing. The Freshman Tailgate and Dance was amazing. I think it’s a lot of fun to get to work and plan the events. I know just working with the freshmen for the tailgate, they were really into it. And meeting new people is always a good thing, but also taking ownership of an event [is very satisfying].”

ASB is a very fulfilling job that allows students to grow. Whether you are already a student at Mater Dei or an incoming freshman, ASB is an extracurricular or class you should consider.