The South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) announced today that 25 South Dakota high school student councils have been recognized as being “Outstanding Student Councils” for the 2014-15 school year. This is the 25th year this statewide program has been sponsored by the SDHSAA to recognize those South Dakota high school student councils that meet or exceed the rigorous standards of excellence that are necessary to achieve the “Outstanding Student Council” designation. Student councils that achieve this recognition can best be described as being very active within their school and community throughout the school year. Outstanding Councils excel in having a well-rounded program of activities and projects which benefit both their school and their community throughout the school year.
The “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” program requires each participating student council to complete 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. James Weaver, SDHSAA Assistant Executive Director, stated “The High School Activities Association recognizes the student councils that have met the stringent standards and criteria demanded by this program. The 25 student councils that have been recognized this year are well organized, highly motivated and have met the rigorous standards necessary to be declared outstanding. The self-evaluation focuses on 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”, each council was involved in projects in the areas such as “Community and School Service”, “Health, Safety or Chemical Awareness”, “Education”, and “Leadership”. 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.
The 2014-15 “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” Award recipients are:
- Aberdeen Central High School
Advisor: Kevin Rook - Custer High School
Advisor: Jean Diedtrich - Dakota Valley High School
Advisor: James Schmit - Dell Rapids St. Mary High School
Advisor: Joni Smith and Cami Bacon - Edgemont High School
Advisor: Scott Corbett - Faith High School
Advisor: Deanna Fischbach - Harrisburg High School
Advisor: Michael Amolins - Huron High School
Advisor: Becca Briggs - Irene-Wakonda High School
Advisor: Landra Knodel - Lemmon High School
Advisor: Linda O’Donnell - Lennox High School
Advisor: Mary Stack - Lyman High School
Advisor: Carol Birgen - McCook Central High School
Advisor: Tracy Chase - Mitchell High School
Advisor: Nancy Leach - Pierre T. F. Riggs High School
Advisor: Brittany Green - Rapid City Central High School
Advisor: Cassie Furchner - Rapid City Stevens High School
Advisor: Courtney Pool - Sioux Falls Lincoln High School
Advisor: Jennifer DuBois - Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School
Advisor: Michele Jensen - Sioux Falls Washington High School
Advisors: Sandy Hoff & Kristy VanMeerteren - Sully Buttes High School
Advisor: Wanda Meyer - Summit High School
Advisor: Nichole Hoffman - Vermillion High School
Advisor: Paige Chapman - Wall High School
Advisor: Ronda Wilson - Yankton High School
Advisor: Becky Tasa