The Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month: Alex Gervais

Westwood High School senior Alex Gervais can trace his passion for Student Government all the way back to elementary school. For his classmates, picking a Field Day t-shirt color wasn’t a monumental decision, but Alex was adamant that his grade wore red. When he got to high school, he was excited to learn about Legislative Council, the group responsible for reviewing and revising student handbook policies from open campus to parking to recycling.
 

“I think that the most valuable thing you can do for yourself throughout high school is to get involved. Participating in a club, getting out into your community, giving back in some way is such an essential part of the high school experience.”
 

Recognizing Alex’s political activism within Legislative Council and his keen interest in staying informed about current events, WHS Class of 2023 graduate Marcus Kelly invited him to contribute articles to WHS’ political newspaper We The People during his junior year. Alex accepted the opportunity and last spring was offered the position of Editor for the 2023 – 2024 school year.
 

While no one can pinpoint the exact year that We The People was founded, there’s evidence that it has been in existence for several decades through numerous mentions in earlier yearbooks. This student-led publication typically releases three editions per year – Fall, Winter, and Spring – both in print and digitally via email, under the guidance of Faculty Advisor Mr. Shuman.
 

Membership in the publication is open to all students interested in writing, regardless of their academic strengths. Alex highlights the inclusivity of the publication, welcoming voices from various backgrounds and grades. For those unsure what to write about, the editorial staff utilizes a spreadsheet to brainstorm a shortlist of potential topics to choose from. Students are also welcome to propose their own ideas. In addition, Alex personally reaches out to those who have a specific interest in politics or current affairs, inviting them to submit an article for publication. Time management is key, as students typically wait a week out from the deadline to really dive into their articles, in order to keep as up-to-date as possible.
 

In the Winter 2024 edition of We The People, which was published on February 15, there was a record number of writers (17), reflecting the diverse interests and concerns of the student body, from the Canton Street sidewalk debate to Biden’s diplomacy in the Middle East to the parole of Oscar Pistorious. Alex emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics from differing points of view, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, in order to stimulate meaningful discourse among readers.
 

Reflecting on his tenure with We The People, Alex hopes to leave behind a legacy of inclusivity, informative journalism, and active student engagement. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the publication and encourages future generations to embrace their voice.
 

“I want We The People to be remembered as a place that people can go to get their news and see how teenagers are processing what’s going on around them. At the center of this publication is the idea of staying informed in an increasingly digital age. Especially for younger people, you know, we’re the next generation, right? Every election for the next twenty to thirty years is going to hinge on the Gen Z vote. So it’s important that we learn how to talk about politics and how to have civil discourse because that’s the only way we’re going to see the changes that we want implemented in the world.”
 

To learn more or join the writing staff at We The People, follow them on Instagram @wethepeoplewhs or email 24agervais@wpsstudents.org
 

Congratulations Alex for being this month’s Standout Student! Nominate a future Tinsley Team Standout Student of the Month by emailing Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com and if you’d like to give back to your community and sponsor a regular feature in Westwood Living, contact Tom Leyden at tleyden@bestversionmedia.com