On Thursday, March 16, the Savannah High School Student Council Executive Board left the high school to head to the 75th Annual Missouri Association of Student Councils Convention. The SHS Executive Board for the 23-24 school year consists of junior Rebecca White and sophomore Izzy Arnold, as co-presidents, sophomore Nicole Jackson as secretary, and junior Abby Heastan as public relations. Unfortunately Heastan could not make it to the convention due to a dance competition. Senior Natalie Whipple, who is one of the current co-presidents, attended the convention in her spot.
This year it was held in the wonderful state capital, Jefferson City. The executive crew started off their time in Jefferson City by visiting the state capitol building as well as the Central Dairy Ice Cream factory. After they had settled in they headed to JCHS to kick the convention off. Jefferson City High School Student Council not only hosted but welcomed over 1,000 middle and high school students back to the roots of the state for a weekend of leadership building and fun.
The theme for the historic 75th convention was “Welcome Home to MASC”. It was shown with a school full of decorations and murals of “homey” environments and trees to symbolize the roots of the organization. For 75 years the Missouri Association of Student Councils has hosted a statewide convention to bring together Missouri as a whole to discuss leadership, build friendly relationships, and most of all have tons of fun as a united organization. The convention lasted Thursday thru Saturday and was three jam-packed days of team builders, motivational speakers, zumba, bouncy houses and songs.
“It was a wonderful time of learning and meeting new people! I had so much fun and can’t wait to go to STUCO camp this summer! I was privileged to be recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Student Leaders Award by MASC! Overall I was sad that it was my last state convention but I had an amazing time with my friends!” Whipple said.
MASC, as a whole, is an amazing organization. They are inclusive to all members, no matter their background, and this shows through their partnership with Special Olympics Missouri. Together they have raised millions of dollars towards the great organization that makes sure all students are included and have the same opportunities while doing it in a unified environment. A representative from Special Olympics Missouri talked at the convention, as well as there were unified games played between the students and visiting SOMO athletes from all across the state. This really shows how caring and including MASC is, as well as the positive impacts they have made on so many students’ lives.
Since this was the 75th MASC State Convention, there was an alumni night to honor all the people that allowed the organization to become what it is today. Alumni from different cities and career paths gathered to share their experience with MASC and how it influenced them to become better people and leaders and in turn caused them to be successful in life. From scientists to politicians to motivational speakers to teachers, Missouri Association of Student Councils has produced wonderful leaders to represent the state of Missouri. Overall it was a great weekend and the SHS Student council has gathered great ideas and leadership skills that they can’t wait to bring back to Savannah.