Parliament Goes Low Key

Finding options to relax doesn't follow one path. While many of us find peace through physical activities, others find that taking a quick nap, watching a TV show, or having a great discussion is the way to go.

This week, Overlake's ASB kicked off its Parliament activities with a variety of options for students to spend 50 minutes. With six choices, students could chose from a nature walk, a game of ultimate (Frisbee), open gym, coloring and study tables, sitcom watching, and a political discussion. "The important thing about Parliament is to give the students an opportunity to make selections best for them," says Bella S. ('20) who is an ASB leader. "We’re intentional about offering lots of options and letting each student decide what they want to do in that moment."

Bella worked with another ASB leader, Anna D. ('20) in leading the political discussion option held in the Student Center. The discussion began with the recent New York Times Opinion Editorial from an anonymous President Trump staffer. It ended with a discussion on diversity on the Overlake campus. "Our goal this year is to have activities that are student orientated," says Anna. "If everyone has more choices, then they’ll definitely find their own thing."

Out of the six activities, the most popular was sitcom watching in Discovery Hall. Students watched shows in the same auditorium where they usually listen to lectures and presentations. A not so popular choice was the nature walk. Perhaps it was the rain, but only about five students joined the walk along Overlake trails. "Not a lot of people took advantage of the nature walk, but I'm fine with it because everyone in our group really enjoyed it," says Trey R. ('19) with ASB. "The feedback I’m getting is that the entire parliament event was great and that was our goal."

Click here to check out our students taking part in Monday's parliament.