The South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) recently announced that 30 South Dakota high school student councils have been recognized as being “Outstanding Student Councils” for the 2015-16 school year. This is the 26th year that this statewide program has been sponsored by the SDHSAA to recognize those South Dakota high school student council’s that meet or exceed the rigorous standards of excellence that are necessary to achieve the “Outstanding Student Council” designation. “Outstanding Councils” excel in having a well-rounded program of activities and projects for the year. The work completed by these “Outstanding Student Councils” has been a benefit to both their school and their community throughout the school year.
The major focus of the “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” program consists of each participating student council completing a self-evaluation of their organizational structure and their successful completion of projects in a variety of areas. The evaluation also considers the involvement of the student council in their school and community. It is the intention of the High School Activities Association to recognize those student councils that meet the stringent standards and criteria demanded by this program. The thirty student councils that have been recognized with this year’s ‘Outstanding’ designation are each well organized and highly motivated. These student councils have met the rigorous standards necessary to be called ‘Outstanding’. The self-evaluation focuses upon the structure of the student council as well as the positive involvement of the student council in the activities of their school and community.
To be recognized as an “Outstanding Student Council” every council was involved in various projects in the areas of “Community and School Service”, “Health, Safety or Chemical Awareness”, “Education”, “Leadership” and others. Completion of projects in a wide range of areas was necessary to fulfill a variety of goals for the student council. Each school receiving the “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” award has demonstrated a desire for self-improvement and individual growth by participating in leadership workshops and conventions as well as other educational programs.
Some of the projects the Dell Rapids St Mary Student Council has completed this year include:
~ planning and organizing all Homecoming activities, along with Olympic Games & a Powder Puff Football game
~ sponsoring dress up days for Red Ribbon Week
~ hosting two dances during the year
~ organizing Secret Santa during Christmas
~ organized an Elf for a Day contest to raise money for Christmas for our Kids
~ host a Pajamarama for the elementary students during Catholic Schools Week
~ sponsor a week long food drive during Catholic Schools Week for the local food pantry
~ have Brownie Sundae fundraisers to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network
~ run a lunch stand and had a hoop shoot contest during basketball games to raise money for a new water fountain for our school
~ provided free babysitting & worked in the concession stands during our SFO fall craft fair
~ sponsor activities for Alcohol Awareness during Prom Week
~ provide gifts to our teachers during teacher appreciation week
The 2015-16 “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” Award recipients are:
- Aberdeen Central High School, Advisor – Kevin Rook
- Bennett County High School, Advisor – Mandi Smokov
- Bowdle High School, Advisor – Jason Bishop
- Canton High School, Advisor – Nicole Nelson
- Dakota Valley High School, Advisor – James Schmit/Kim Bacon
- Dell Rapids St Mary High School, Advisor – Cami Bacon
- Edgemont High School, Advisor – Scott Corbett
- Estelline High School, Advisor – Julie Rieckman
- Faith High School, Advisor – Deanna Fischbach
- Henry High School, Advisor – Philip Schonebaum
- Herreid High School, Advisor – Janelle Rossow
- Huron High School, Advisor – Becca Briggs
- Lead-Deadwood High School, Advisor – Gary Linn
- Lemmon High School, Advisor – Linda O’Donnell
- Lennox High School, Advisor – Madeline Kroger
- Lyman High School, Advisor – Carol Birgen
- McCook Central High School, Advisor – Tracy Chase
- Milbank High School, Advisor – Kathy Sussex & Nancy Paulson
- Mitchell High School, Advisor – Nancy Leach
- Philip High School, Advisor – Pamela DeJong
- Pierre T.F. Riggs High School, Advisor – Brittany Green & Bob Gill
- Sioux Falls Lincoln High School, Advisor – Jennifer DuBois
- Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School, Advisor – Michele Jensen & Kari Bultje
- Sioux Falls Washington High School, Advisor – Sandy Hoff & Kristy VanMeerteren
- Sully Buttes High School, Advisor – Wanda Meyer
- Summit High School, Advisor – Nicole Hoffman
- Vermillion High School, Advisor – Paige Chapman
- Wall High School, Advisor – Ronda Wilson
- Winner High School, Advisor – Mono LaCompte & Lorna Phillips
- Yankton High School, Advisor – Becky Tasa