Petition ‘Stop FVHS Asb From Going to Disneyland’ brought to attention

By Aozora Ito, Sports Editor

On Thursday evening, a change.org petition “Stop FVHS Asb From Going to Disneyland” was started by an anonymous FVHS student, A.N. The petition was brought to attention when Matthew Pombo (‘18) posted a meme relating to the petition on a Facebook group page called FV Memes for Depressed Teens. With over 600 members, this growing page could be substantially influential.

This petition expressed several complaints toward the Associated Student Body (ASB) who took a team bonding trip to Disneyland yesterday. Some of the issues pointed out were the uselessness of House of Representatives meetings, the $3000 spent towards the trip which could’ve been used for other school-related purposes and the clubs not being able to to put out flyers on campus.

“I don’t expect this petition to make any changes. I do expect some people to share similar feelings like I do. I am proud to be a baron but, let’s make the Baron experience better for all,” wrote A.N. in the petition.

The student response towards the petition is split between those against and those pro-petition. One student, Loulya Alcharbaji (‘18), supported the petition, claiming that it was funny and inspiring.

“With the help of social media, students are having the ability to change school policies and make our campus a much better place. I believe people shouldn’t take something like this as serious and look at it from a more humorous side,” said Alcharbaji.

Another student, Mary Tran (‘18), had also expressed support for the petition.

“While it is true the ASB is an integral part of the Fountain Valley campus, I don’t think that they should have privileges that others on this campus do not. This petition, while not very eloquent, voiced the complaints of many at this school,” said Tran.

While Alcharbaji and Tran took a critical approach towards ASB, other students took the side of the student government, pointing out ASB’s hard work throughout the school year and the subjectiveness of the petition. Creator of the meme and member of the orchestra, Pombo, stated that as long as the budget doesn’t come out of school-designated use, ASB should enjoy their trip.

“The petition seems hastily written, juvenile, and a bit whiny, as though they don’t really know enough about the situation and are going off of what they heard from a friend. Those kids have really put in the hours, and I think a day of enjoyment isn’t asking too much,” said Pombo.

Ian Mckeever (‘18) had a similar opinion, criticizing the unconvincing approach that A.N. took.

“I feel as though if the student wanted change they could have taken a much different approach and maybe even gotten better results because I’m sure the petition in its current state won’t yield much but negative attention to our school’s ASB and community as a whole,” said Mckeever.

Some students were doubtful of how ASB uses the money in their financial accounts.

However, ASB president Carly Perri (‘17) clarified that they have separate accounts: ASB General, the account of the whole school, and ASB Club, the account for the class to use the money for their purposes. According to Perri, ASB raised money for all their events first, and after reaching their set goal, further put an effort to raise money for a surplus.

“We went out of our way to recycle every month, and we went out of our way to go door-to-door to sell newspapers. That’s what you’re supposed to do, and that’s what any club can do. Some people think that we take money from the school, but there’s nothing like that,” said Perri.

Perri stated that a lot of their points in the petition did not make much sense, as they were factless, and pointed out that things such as the bell schedule has nothing to do with the student government.

“We’re sorry that it was misinterpreted, and that people were offended by it, but truly, we don’t feel like we did anything wrong. We didn’t take money from anyone, we didn’t steal anything. We’re protective of the money and want the best for all the students,” said Perri.  “If they’re upset, I think it’s better instead of being anonymous and posting about it, it’s always just better to talk to people in person.”