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Written by Mr. Eric White, Student Activities Coordinator / After School Sports Coordinator

Highlands Intermediate School

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Highlands Intermediate Student Council has been awarded a 2017 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). There are 9 schools in the state of Hawaii with this distinction, with Highlands Intermediate being the only middle school represented!

“Receiving an NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the highest dedication on the part of the school to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” said Ann Postlewaite, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) student programs director. “NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group of student leaders in creating such an awesome and energizing environment that reverberated throughout the 2016-17 school year! Even more amazing was the way our student leaders incorporated this year’s school theme “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!” into all the activities the entire school year, turning Highlands into Hogwarts, our teachers in Professors and our Gym into the pitch for our inaugural Highlands Quidditch Cup! This Highlands Student Council 16-17 is the best I’ve ever had the privilege of working with in my 10 years at Highlands Intermediate School!” — Mr. Eric White

Here’s a look at some highlights from this past school year:

Highlands Leadership Conference 2017

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2017/01/highlands-leadership-conference-2017.html

Highlands Hunger Games 4: “May Magic Be Ever In Your Favor!”

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/11/highlands-hunger-games-4-may-magic-be.html

Highlands Quidditch Cup

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/11/highlands-quidditch-cup.html

Highlands Haunted House 5: “The Thing That Should Not Be!”

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/10/highlands-haunted-house-5-thing-that.html

Highlands Haunted House 5 Best Scares!

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/10/highlands-haunted-house-5-best-scares.html

Fall Dance 2016 “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/10/fall-dance-2016-wizarding-world-of.html

Spirit Week 2016

http://highlandsintermediate.blogspot.com/2016/10/spirit-week-2016.html

To meet the requirements for the NASC National Council of Excellence Award, a student council must meet a variety of criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, councils demonstrate things such as leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in state and national student council associations. Those councils awarded the gold level have successfully demonstrated the highest levels of leadership.

To learn more about the National Council of Excellence Award, visit www.nasc.us/ncoe.

About NASC

Since 1931, the goal of NASC has been to help all student councils become more effective organizations. NASC represents middle level and high school councils nationwide. It creates the opportunity for students to become effective leaders, thus encouraging and influencing a positive school climate. NASC is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). For more information on NASC, visit www.nasc.us.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.

Photo by Highlands Intermdiate School