Student Organization Hosts Welcome Barbecue

Mineola High School welcomed the class of 2014 Tuesday afternoon at their annual freshmen barbecue. The Student Organization, which serves as a liaison between students and administration, hosts the event each year on the first day of classes.

Almost two-hundred ninth graders were treated to hamburgers, hotdogs and chips, along with water and soda in the school's rear courtyard and field. Students spoke amongst themselves, introducing themselves to faculty members who served as chaperones at the event.

Senior Bill Beuhler, secretary of the Student Organization, said the barbecue helps to ease the stress of the first day of high school for freshman students. "(It) lets the freshman hang out and take in everything they learned on their first day so they aren't overwhelmed," he said.

Mineola school Superintendant Dr. Michael Nagler referred to the Student Organization as "a group of hardworking individuals," as they planned and organized the event to make it run smoothly and efficiently.

Abigail Sia, a senior and president of the Student Organization, served food at the barbeque. " We want the students to be happy," she said. "Our purpose is to continue to improve the school and to make it a friendlier place for students. "

In previous years, the Student Organization has been responsible for adding bike racks and helping to revamp the high school lunch system. "In a response to the students, the school hired a new lunch company with healthier food options," Student Organization vice-president Sean Cha said. "I also attend PTA meetings to give parents updates on what is going on in the school."

Freshmen students appreciated the event as a notable conclusion to their first day of high school. "It was definitely a fun time," one freshman said at the end of the barbecue.