School can be boring if it’s all about class. What makes it fun are all the dances, games, and other events. This is where Highland’s Student Body Officers come in – they hope to be a cure for the tedious.
Norman Genda is 2025-26 Highland SBO president and has planned a lot of events to make this school year exactly like its theme – “One for the Books.”
Genda’s goal is to make this year bigger, better, and more memorable – as the theme suggests.
“We’re planning on making this year really spectacular,” Genda said. “With sports going down to 4A, our student body, and us as Rams, this year is different.”
Like all big goals, you need a plan to get started, and the SBOs are on top of it.
Genda and the SBOs have a lot of ideas to make this year memorable, including bigger assemblies and a more events overall throughout the year to “have everyone engaged and bring the community back together,” Genda said.
Being SBO president requires good leadership skills, and people close to Genda believe he has those skills, and they have only gotten better with time.
“He sees the bigger picture and guides others toward shared goals. He listens and understands people’s concerns, earning trust,” Genda’s mom Francess said. “He expresses ideas clearly and ensures everyone feels included. His actions match his words, motivating others to follow.”
Those who work closely in student government with Genda see how dedicated he is to the students.
“Norman knows what he wants and what’s best for the school,” SBO vice president Peter Huntsman said. “And he will do everything he can to accomplish that.”
Running for SBO president takes time, commitment, and a desire to be a part of something better. For Genda, it was no different.
Originally, Genda wanted to be the creative director for Highland, but his goals grew after realizing that the SBOs needed to reconnect everyone and the community.
“With our student body and everything, I feel like I would be really helpful to bridge everyone together,” Genda said.
The process of running for any position within student government is long and takes time.
Anyone running is required to fill out a packet with teacher recommendations, a bio about themself, and some questionnaires. Along with the written aspects, candidates need to make three posters for the school and make and edit an election video that students and faculty watch during the election.
Being a good president isn’t just about working with the school, but it’s important to get along with your fellow SBOs and students.
“Our SBO team is one of a kind. We have such an amazing team. So many great talents and abilities,” Genda said. “It’s pretty diverse.”
When he’s not planning events and going to school, you can find Genda on the field or in the gym playing soccer, rugby, or basketball.
Although Genda is very active and loves playing sports, his role as SBO president has taken up most of his time. But he’s excited to start playing competitive rugby and be part of a sports team.
Genda also loves hanging out with his friends, spending time with his family, and is currently a photographer for The Highland Rambler. He is also planning on creating television-style broadcast reports for The Highland Rambler.
Genda is respected and beloved in and out of office. His biggest supporters are friends and family that see his potential, and his fellow SBOs who work with him closely daily.
“The motivation, positivity, and work ethic that Norman has is so strong and it really gives everyone in the group the drive to work just as hard to accomplish what we need to do,” Huntsman said.
Genda believes this year is going to be different, and he’s excited to see how special he and the SBOs can make it.
“We are super excited for this year, we have so many things planned,” Genda said. “We are definitely rolling out with many things and it’s gonna be great.”
