There are thousands of high school student councils across the United States. Of those thousands, there are only a little over two hundred student councils that are recognized by the National Association of Student Councils as “Councils of Excellence.” Only two student councils from Connecticut are given that title. And as of this year, the Woodland Regional Student Council is one of them.
It is a great honor for the WRSC to be considered a “National Gold Council of Excellence” but one that did not come easily.
Starting last winter, the WRSC set their sights on achieving this national award. A small council of senators worked closely with advisor Chris Tomlin to navigate the application process. The WRSC had to evaluate what they do as an organization within Woodland based on a series of standards that were required to meet in order to be considered a council of excellence.
“We found that we are a strong organization in some areas like generating school spirit,” said WRSC Vice President Jeff Lauck. “There were other standards that we hadn’t met, so we had to make changes or create events to meet those standards.”
Throughout the year, the WRSC conducted more community service events and more leadership training for their members to meet the application requirements. They also improved communication between the senate and student body by sending senators to speak to advisories once a month. They also sent out monthly newsletters to keep the school up to date on the events of the WRSC.
After the WRSC achieved all the requirements mandated by the National Association of Student Councils, they had to present their application to Woodland Principal Kurt Ogren.
“We sat down with Mr. Ogren and presented proof to him that we had accomplished everything the application required,” explained Lauck. “Then he wrote a letter of approval to the NASC.”
With one national award under their belt, the WRSC plans on re-applying for the award next year.
“Its only a won year honor,” explained WRSC Communication Secretary Zach Crowell. “We have to do the whole process over again to hold on to the title.”
Members of the WRSC also hope to attend a national conference held for Councils of Excellence in Florida this June. At the event they will be honored as Council of Excellence and meet with other councils from across the nation.
“This award is a big accomplishment for us because it serves as physical reminder for all we do as an organization,” said speaker of the senate Mary Vlamis. “It just makes everything we do worth it.”
