North Tapps has triple threat in student government
Published 12:13 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2009
By Daniel Nash
The Courier-Herald
This year, North Tapps Middle School gained a triple threat in student government.
Siblings Megan, Joey and Michael Lucchesi all settled into leadership positions in Associated Student Body this school year. Not only are they related: they’re triplets.
Megan, Joey and Michael were elected in June to the positions of president, vice president and eighth-grade representative, respectively.
“What are the odds of three siblings – three triplets, even – all being elected to top positions in student government at one school?” North Tapps language arts and social studies teacher Valerie Tesch asked. “I don’t think that has happened at any other school.”
Given that the chances of a mother giving birth to triplets are one in 8,000, the odds are clearly against it.
But to Tesch, it comes as no surprise that the three siblings would be equally motivated.
“They’re truly great role models, athletically, academically and socially, and they’re very considerate of other students,” she said. “I think they have such great leadership skills that they make great leaders for the school. Such polite and respectful kids are a joy to have.”
Tesch had Joey in her seventh-grade class last year and has Megan as a teacher’s aide this semester. Both brothers will be her aides next semester.
The entire Lucchesi clan is involved in the North Tapps community. Their mother is a member of the Parent Teacher and Student Association, and their father coaches the lacrosse team.
Megan Lucchesi began the morning of Sept. 25 the same way she begins every school day, by making announcements. But when it came time for the birthday announcements segment, she passed the intercom to ASB Secretary Nina Raum.
“Birthday announcements for today include Megan, Joey and Michael Lucchesi, who turn 14 today,” Nina said. “Happy birthday!”
The triplets were excited to talk about their presents, which they were allowed to open that morning because of their busy schedules later in the day.
“We got cell phones,” Joey said excitedly.
“We and our mom joke sometimes that we would be the last teenagers with cell phones,” Megan said. “So we weren’t expecting it at all, especially since we’re not in high school yet.”
The three may need the ability to remain connected, with the demands of their budding political careers.
Each has been previously involved in student government in some capacity. Joey and Megan were campaign managers for previous ASB officers and Megan has been in student government since fourth grade “when it was mostly just making posters.”
The seventh-grade representative from last year encouraged Michael to become eighth-grade representative this year.
“I was (involved in ASB) a bit in fifth grade, but otherwise this is my first year,” he said.
Aside from their everyday duties, the three are already working on several events for the first semester, including the December canned food drive, the pre-Christmas school fundraiser and Marine Moms.
Marine Moms is a collection drive for troops overseas, accepting compact discs and candy to send abroad, and an incorporation of curriculum to support the troops. Some students make wooden peg games and toys for entertainment and language arts students write letters to marines.
ASB will also set to work preparing their room for the school Haunted House organized by the Red Peppers, a school spirit organization.
“We’re thinking of doing something Michael Jackson, Thriller-themed,” Joey said. “Or at least incorporating zombies in some way.”
After school, the students participate in sports. Joey and Michael play lacrosse for the North Tapps Bulldogs, coached by dad Louis, and the South Sound Starz, as well as football on the new Bulldogs team.
Megan played lacrosse with her brothers for four years before leaving to play soccer this year.
The siblings distinguish themselves through their individual talents and hobbies. Joey and Michael both have aspirations to make the varsity football team their freshman year of high school. Joey plays guitar. Both boys love hanging out with friends and playing on the computer.
“What 14-year-old boy doesn’t like video games?” Joey asks.
Megan is the self-described nerd of the siblings, and is “usually three to four steps ahead” on assignments, she said. She also dabbles in fiction writing during her free time and has a passion for the performing arts.
“I love the whole musical theater business: dancing, acting and writing,” Megan said. She has danced for nine years.
All three look forward to high school next year. They are considering Auburn Riverside High School, but Joey might go to White River. The Dieringer School District, which has no high school, gives students a choice of what school district they advance to.
But for now, the siblings look forward to contributing to a great year at North Tapps, aiming to pull off a hat trick in student government successes.
