Student councils at two metro-east schools earn national awards
The student councils at Mason Clark Middle School in East St. Louis District 189 and Collinsville High School in Collinsville District 10 are among the seven in Illinois to receive national recognition for their service and leadership.
Every year, the National Association of Student Councils doles out its National Council of Excellence Awards to middle and high school student councils “that maintain strong year-round programs and work to improve their schools and communities through their leadership activities.”
The Mason Clark Middle School and Collinsville High School student councils have each been recognized as a 2024 National Gold Council of Excellence, the highest of the two recognition levels.
Councils must go beyond the basics of having a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process by demonstrating sponsorship and participation in activities like leadership development as well as school and community service.
“We are very excited to represent our school at the national level,” David Walker, an 8th-grade student and vice president of Mason Clark Middle School Student Council, said in a press release from East St. Louis 189. “We worked hard to make sure that our application demonstrated exactly what we can accomplish with the support of our peers and our administrators.”
The student council marked its 10-year anniversary with an initiative to promote and maintain a positive school culture and climate, according to the release.
“The Mason Clark Middle School Student Council is a fantastic example of how our young people excel when they have an opportunity to engage in leadership experiences,” Superintendent Arthur Culver said. The council members “are developing skills that are transferable to other lifelong opportunities they will encounter throughout their lives.”
“Receiving a National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the amazing dedication of the students and school to make their community a better place,” said Ronn Nozoe, CEO of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, NASC’s parent organization. “Mason Clark Middle School has gone above and beyond in elevating student voice to ensure they are establishing a positive climate and culture, as well as fostering academic and social growth for all.”
For Collinsville 10, this is the 19th consecutive year the high school’s student council — referred to more succinctly as CHS StuCo — has been recognized as a National Gold Council of Excellence. CHS StuCo has received the recognition every year since the award was created in 2006.
Last summer, CHS StuCo hosted the 2023 Vision National Student Leadership Conference, the annual national gathering of hundreds of student council leaders.
