Lennox High School attended the 30th Annual State Convention of the South Dakota Student Council Association (SDSCA) which was held in Rapid City, SD on April 9 through April 11, 2017. The SDSCA Convention included 916 students and advisors from 62 high schools across the state.
SDSCA Executive Director, Gary Linn, stated “It is so exciting to see this event grow bigger and bigger every year, to know that student leaders are excited about becoming stronger leaders in their schools, communities and in their adult lives. This is a very rewarding feeling for us that work with these students on a daily basis. It is a great way for students, advisors and councils to network with each other and learn what other schools are doing.”
The South Dakota Student Council Association, which is co-sponsored by the South Dakota High School Activities Association, offers an opportunity for student council members to exercise and enhance their leadership skills. Focusing on the theme “Lead Us West”, the SDSCA Convention utilized a combination of breakout sessions and large group instructional presentations by their guest speaker and workshop presenters, which were focused on different aspects of leadership. Mayor Steve Allender presented the opening welcome address, on Sunday evening. Monday’s speaker was Billy Riggs from Dripping Springs, Texas. As a highly skilled orator and entertainer, Billy moves audiences to action with his message of hope and inspiration
The convention also featured a state-wide community service project. This project made over 60 fleece blankets that will be dispersed among communities throughout the state. These blankets will be given to women/children shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes to aid those who need some help.
The Convention activities included the annual business meeting of the SDSCA and the election of the Association’s 2017-2018 state officers, as well as the election of the officers for each of the Association’s seven regions. Awards were given at a banquet and Lennox High School received an Outstanding Student Council award. This award goes to schools as a way to give praise and recognition to schools that have well rounded programs and are active on the local and state levels.
Perhaps the most inspirational moment during the State Convention occurred as part of the Closing General Session when the student councils presented their checks for money raised as part of the SDSCA Statewide Spring “Children’s Miracle Network” project. By tradition the SDSCA spring fundraising project is focused on the theme of “Kids Helping Other Kids”. Student Councils give money to a project such as Children’s Miracle Network, epitomizes the “Kids Helping Other Kids” philosophy.
Lennox High School conducted a “Crush For A Crush” and “Tac Ball” fundraiser to help raise over $400 for the Children’s Miracle Network. The total raised this year at the high school level was $38,200!
The students from Lennox that attended the SDSCA State Convention included the following: Mason Meyer, Braedon Wallenstein, MiKayla Smit, Haley Mendel, Kip Kuper, Addison Stubbe, Max Bultena, Cooper Benning, Brock Anderson, and Tyson Stoebner.