He’s semi-new.  He’s the girls volleyball coach.  He’s a Sahuaro grad. And now, Adam Shingler is the new sponsor for Student Council. After Mrs. DePugh stepped down from the position at the end of last year to get ready for her final year before retiring, Mr. Shingler was happy to take on that role. Here are his thoughts about taking over Sahuaro’s student government.

What made you decide to take on Student Council? 

I became the Student Council adviser because I wanted to work with, and help, students improve Sahuaro while at the same time, developing leadership skills that they can translate into their day-to day-lives.

What are your plans for Student Council?

Student Council this year is working on various goals to help improve Sahuaro in the following 3 areas: student experience (being involved and promoting school engagement); improving school facilities; and working towards the school goal of Being the Three (responsible, reliable, respectful).

How do you plan on juggling both roles as volleyball coach and Student Council Adviser?

I plan on balancing my various roles by being organized and relying on key people in each role.

I know that you graduated from SHS, were you involved in StuCo, and if so what did you like most and dislike most about it?

I was involved in Student Council when I was a student at Sahuaro.  I was a senior class treasurer and absolutely loved my time in Student Council. It was a great maturing year for myself and allowed me to develop leadership skills that I still use to this day.

What are 3 fun/interesting/unique tidbits about you that you can share with us?

I am a twin, my whole family attended Sahuaro, and my favorite musician is Jason Mraz (seen him in concert 4 times).

Being a StuCo sponsor requires hard work.  Mrs. DePugh knows all about the challenges and she is helping with the transition.  She says, “I’m not really retiring, I’m just going to move out to Virginia and teach there. That’s where all my family is.”  The thing she will miss most, she says, are the students. “Students, working with students, and watching them take leadership. Bringing back traditions.”

I asked her if she had any advice for Mr. Shingler. “Organization is key. I think he’s doing a fantastic job. Just let your own leadership come out, make StuCo your own.”