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During the Texas Association of Student Council (TASC) Leadership Workshops, held at Stephen F. Austin State University in July, Texas teens from across the state gained skills in goal setting, team building, problem solving, and project planning through interactive methods provided by the organization.

McKenzie DiLeo, Sophie Braud, Gabrielle Gonzalez, Madison Miller, Kaylee Pattillo, Sydney Smith, John Michael Gonzalez, Lydia Covington, McCartney Miller, and Sarah Gonzalez represented Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School as delegates to the workshop. During five days of rigorous training and project-based learning, they gained the tools and knowledge necessary to improve student council effectiveness on their campus.

“I attended this workshop because I wanted to learn more on how to be a more effective leader, and I am excited to be able to bring the skills I acquired from this workshop back to LCM, said John Michael Gonzalez.

In July of 2013, TASC state officers and district presidents called on student leaders to excel with the state theme: Image is Perception; Leadership is Reality. Be More than Your Reflection. The 2013-2014 state project, The Texan Connection, is a call to action for Texas student councils to develop collaborative service projects, which invite involvement by everyone in their school community to work together for good. This idea was continued in the 2014 Summer Workshop theme of Go Reach Our World (G.R.O.W.), which challenged students not only to make a positive impact in their schools, but to reach out further to the community, state, nation and world.

“One of the most important things I learned at workshop is the art of collaboration and cohesive problem solving, and I will use that in Student Council and in other groups at LCM,” said Kaylee Pattillo. “I appreciate LCM principal, Dr. Terri Estes, allowing us to attend this workshop. We intend to make full use of everything we learned.” According to Student Council Advisor, Stacey Smith, “Our student council members are amazing.” They represented LCM extremely well as they worked with student leaders from across the state of Texas.”

Madison Miller, Kaylee Pattillo, and Sydney Smith were selected and served at other workshops around the State as workshop Junior Counselors during the summer.

TASC is a non-profit organization serving high school and middle level student councils in Texas. Sponsored by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, its purposes are to develop leadership abilities in students, promote democracy as a way of life, and establish and uphold high standards for local councils. With over 1300 member schools, it is the largest student leadership organization in the United States.

For those interested in contacting SFASU, please visit them at http://www.sfasu.edu/.

Students attending the conference are top row, from left: Lydia Covington, McCartney Miller, Madison Miller, John Michael Gonzalez, Sydney Smith, and Sophie Braud. Bottom from left: McKenzie DiLeo, Gabrielle Gonzalez, Kaylee Pattillo, and Sarah Gonzalez.