by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
The Sartell High School Student Council has just been honored with National Gold Council of Excellence Award from the National Student Council (NatStuCo).
The council was praised for its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community.
“Exceptional student councils are a hallmark of exceptional schools,” said NatStuCo’s Chief Executive Officer Ronn Nozoe. “The Sartell High School council has taken student leadership to the next level, creating a culture promoting scholarship and citizenship that resonates far beyond their team. I’m delighted to recognize their hard work with the National Gold Council of Excellence Award for their commitment to service, leadership and uplifting the voices of their peers.”
Sartell Student Council Advisor Karrie Fredrickson expressed her gratitude for the national honor.
“I am so proud of our 2022-2023 Student Council,” she said. “Our students have concentrated this year on addressing the needs of students as far as mental health, (and) inclusion and connection of many groups in their activities. They have contributed to the community through service and fundraising for charity. Our council is a dynamic group filled with the voices of many different groups of students that above all care about others. Each year they work hard to create a great high school experience for students through the traditions they have established and in creating new and fresh ideas.”
Sartell High School Student Council students serve as board-level officers at the Central Minnesota Association of Student Councils Division. They also regularly attend the Minnesota Association of Student Councils’ activities and take part in the National Leadership Convention.
A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process, the councils must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community.
The National Student Council organization promotes professional development and leadership training to student council advisers who, in turn, teach leadership skills to student-council members. The NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals.