The lights of leadership shone down on Woodland Regional’s Student Government at their Connecticut Association of Student Councils (CASC) convention titled, “Lights, Camera, Lead!” The convention took place on Friday, March 10th. Schools from all around the state gathered to learn more about leadership.
The convention featured a guest speaker, leadership geared workshops and breakout sessions, a pep rally, and district meetings. Students were able to communicate and collaborate with each other in order to strengthen their own Student Government programs and leadership skills.
At the end of the day, during the final general assembly of the schools, several awards were presented. Three of these prestigious awards were the 2023 Platinum Council of Excellence Award, 2023 Top 10 Project Award, and the 2023 Dale Hawley Award.
The WRSG was able to secure all three awards. The very first award received was the 2023 Platinum Council of Excellence. The award was earned by the WRSG collectively, making it the second consecutive time the organization has earned the award. Not only has a lot of work been put in by this group of students, but past student leaders who helped to kickstart this trend as well.
“All of our accolades for awards go back about ten years ago when a group wanted to redirect Student Government so we could see how we rank. It was them that put us on this direction and those after them who have established the bar year after year,” said advisor, Christopher Tomlin.
Platinum status has not been a reality for the WRSG in previous years, but they have had the honor of receiving gold status. In the past, Student Government has earned ten straight National Gold Council awards; the application for Platinum Council of Excellence has only been submitted in recent years. This group keeps pushing the standard higher and higher every year with their engaging projects and active leadership roles.
Club Fair, an annual project run at Woodland, prompted the WRSG to win the 2023 Top 10 Project Award. For those of you foggy on what Club Fair is, it is a display of all the clubs at Woodland for students to view. Students depart from last block early and make their way to the courtyard, where almost all clubs have stands exhibiting what they offer. For the cherry on top, the WRSG provides apple cider and donuts for students to enjoy while they roam the courtyard.
A huge part of what makes this project special is its ability to, “bring the school together in one group effort,” said Student Body President, Ethan Valentino.
Not only was the school involved, but the community as well. The firehouse came down from Beacon Hose and gave students the opportunity to ask questions and get information on how to join the organization.
In order to win the award, the project must fulfill the criteria of CT Rises. CT Rises consists of six pillars: citizenship, recognition, inspiration, service, engagement, and spirit. Club fair was able to fit into all six pillars of this rubric.
As a whole, the WRSG banded together to seize the award. The entire organization was a part of the success. But, who is really standing out? One member of the WRSG was able to claim an award of her own, Board of Education Representative and CASC Legislative Affairs Coordinator Charli Hughes.
Hughes is a leader within the WRSG and, within CASC, it was her positive qualities and hard work that allowed her to be a probable candidate for the 2023 Dale Hawley Award. In order to win the award, a candidate must prove that they have accomplished achievement and have shown student leadership experiences and development. Hughes has done just that.
“I am very hardworking and thoughtful. I try to make sure I think about everything carefully and I am perceptive about the people I serve,” said Hughes.
Hughes not only serves the people in the WRSG, but she also creates legislation for CASC. She spends time with members of CASC around the state in order to plan legislative affairs. For example, she is currently trying to introduce the process of obtaining a possible field trip to a courthouse in Hartford.
The award was expected for Hughes.
“I was confident that I’d be able to get it this time. In the future I hope more people apply for this award, along with members from Woodland,” said Hughes.
Considering all Hughes does for the WRSG and CASC, the award was definitely in reach. In the future, Hughes plans to serve with CASC again and work to run new projects next year.
The day was quite a success for the WRSG, these three awards are a demonstration of their hard work. It is their progressive leadership and ability to take charge that allowed them to push themselves above and beyond.
