State’s student leaders gather at CV

Maria Mendoza came from Bothell High School, a school of 1,700 students in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Blaine McNicol traveled from Eatonville High School, a school of fewer than 700 students 30 miles west of Mount Rainier.

They are two of the 800 student leaders from across the state attending the Washington Association of Student Councils (WASC) “Flame of Leadership” conference, hosted by Central Valley High School this weekend.

“We are kicking off two new programs: RSVP (Raising Student Voice and Participation) and the ‘new’ WASC. We’re moving this organization away from proms, posters and pep assemblies. We want student leaders to learn how improving their school will improve student learning and promote student success,” said Leanne Donley, a leadership teacher at CV and WASC state adviser.

“WASC is trying to get back to its roots to represent students and work to help students,” said McNicol, a senior. “Because of academic stress and test scores it’s important that, as student leaders, we motivate other students to want to be at school. By becoming involved in school they’ll be more successful.”

Mendoza, a senior and the Associated Student Body president of Bothell High School, agreed that over the years, student councils have been getting away from serving the students.

“We want to get away from focusing on school events themselves, and instead focus on the product of the event,” said Mendoza.

As WASC members, both Mendoza and McNicol have been so inspired and encouraged that they plan to become teachers in educational leadership.

Student leaders will facilitate a variety of workshops today at the conference, including topics such as leadership styles, recognition programs, student mediation, multicultural activities and community service projects.

“Students learn more from other students,” said McNicol.

Susan Fortin has been the executive director for Washington Association of Student Councils for 16 years. How does this current group of leaders differ from those of the past?

“The energy level – you wouldn’t see these types of workshops before. The work of the kids is at a deeper level. They are focusing on creating a positive culture and climate for all students,” said Fortin.

“I think this work ties into what schools are doing as they try to bring all students to meet standard. These student leaders are taking an active role in helping kids feel connected. If students feel connected they’re more apt to be successful in school,” said Fortin.

Central Valley High School senior Bridget Reilly is this year’s WASC president. Reilly said that CV got the bid to host the conference, in part, because they had a facility that could hold 800 kids, 120 advisers and 130 student helpers. Students stay with host families while they’re here.

“We started working on this a year ago. There’s been no last-minute things to worry about, no mishaps,” said Reilly.

This is the third WASC conference Reilly has attended. She credits Donley for the way the event came together.

“I’ve never seen one run so smoothly,” said Reilly. “She’s got us using all of our resources effectively. Everyone is contributing and working really hard.”

The conference participants are leaving a gift for Spokane Valley. Each school has helped contribute enough food and money to feed more than 300 families through the Valley’s food bank.

“We want to make a difference in the state. We want to let student councils know they need to make a difference,” said McNicol.