MILL HALL — A representative from Central Mountain High School’s Student Government offered a statement on behalf of the entity regarding comments about the school’s safety during the Keystone Central School District Board of Directors’ recent work session.

Claire Bowman, a senior at CMHS, said she was speaking on behalf of the entire entity about “comments from the community about the high school.”

“We are saddened to hear and read continued comments on social media and in the community that our school is all bad and unsafe,” Bowman said.

Bowman acknowledged that when she first came to CMHS in 2020, she and many of her peers did feel unsafe and were “scared and worried about walking the halls or using the bathrooms for fear of getting in the middle of an altercation.”

However, Bowman said years later that fear has dissipated.

“We acknowledge there have been and will likely continue to be altercations once in a while. But I would remind the community and the board that happens at our neighboring schools and schools across the nation,” she said. “We hope to continue changing the atmosphere for the better.”

Bowman added, “the climate in the high school has seen nothing but improvements during my time at the high school.”

“Students and teachers alike have mentioned how much different the school environment is since just a few years ago,” she continued.

Bowman said these changes are due in part not only to the creation of the student government, but also the support and dedication of the school board and the administration.

“We know that we’re not perfect and that we always have ways to improve. But I think it’s really important that we acknowledge how far we have come,” she concluded.

During the rest of the student government update, Bowman shared a variety of concluding events and upcoming ones.

“As we start March, winter sports and activities are beginning to wrap up,” she said. “We’d like to congratulate our wrestling team on winning districts and having multiple wrestlers — both boys and girls — advance to the state tournament.”

Bowman also congratulated the school’s Bocce Ball team for placing second in their district tournament.

“Outside of sports we have multiple students advancing to regional and state competition in choir festivals, acapella, band and SkillsUSA,” she continued.

Though some sports and activities are coming to a close, Bowman noted many are beginning.

“This includes not only spring sports but the spring musical — “Chicago” — which will be the first weekend in April; spring orchestra, band and choirs concerts in May; and before we know it our seniors will be preparing for graduation,” she said.

Senior projects will be held on March 17 and guidance counselors have been diligent in ensuring students are aware of scholarships available, she said.

In terms of student government, Bowman said students continue to hold meetings with Principal Nick Verrelli and, recently, met with Redmon.

“In our meeting with Dr. Redmon we discussed many of the topics that student government talks about on a daily basis,” Bowman said.

These topics include conversations about graduation requirements and credits.

“We believe that our current format needs to be evaluated,” Bowman said.

Student government has also been discussing updating electives to “make sure students are being offered courses that are appealing and beneficial for their future,” she continued.

“These are just some of the many topics we’ve begun discussing in the complicated equation of preparing ourselves to become future students for life after graduation,” Bowman concluded.