The South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) announced that 31 South Dakota high school student councils have been recognized as being “Outstanding Student Councils” for the 2012-13 school year. This is the 23rd 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 31 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”, “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 2012-13 “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” Award recipients are:
- Aberdeen Central High School – Advisor: Kevin Rook
- Custer High School – Advisor: Jean Diedtrich
- Dell Rapids St. Mary High School – Advisor: Joni Smith
- Edgemont High School – Advisor: Scott Corbett
- Estelline High School – Advisor: Julie Rieckman
- Faith High School – Advisor: Deanna Fischbach
- Harding County High School – Advisor: Laura Johnson
- Harrisburg High School – Advisor: Michael Amolins
- Herreid High School – Advisor: Janelle Rossow
- Huron High School – Advisor: Angie Klein
- Irene-Wakonda High School – Advisor: Landra Knodel
- Lead-Deadwood High School – Advisor: Gary Linn
- Lemmon High School – Advisor: Linda O’Donnell
- Lennox High School – Advisor: Mary Stack
- Lyman High School – Advisor: Tom Authier
- McCook Central High School – Advisor: Tracy Chase
- Mitchell High School – Advisor: Nancy Leach
- Philip High School – Advisor: Pam DeJong
- Pierre T. F. Riggs High School – Advisor: Cally Swanson
- 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
- Sturgis Brown High School – Advisor: Judith Javersak
- Sully Buttes High School – Advisor: Wanda Meyer
- Vermillion High School – Advisor: Beth Knedler
- Wall High School – Advisor: Ronda Wilson
- Wessington Springs – Advisor: Sandra Jones
- Winner High School – Advisor: Mona LaCompte & Lorna Phillips
- Yankton High School – Advisor: Becky Tasa
**PRESS RELEASE
SDHSAA
P.O. Box 1217, Pierre, SD 57501
Telephone: (605) 224-9261