(NASC contributed to text) RESTON, VA–– For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Boulder High School has been awarded a 2013 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). In addition Boulder High School is one of just five schools in Colorado to receive the Gold Award. Nearly 180 high school councils across the country were named National Councils of Excellence. Of those, Boulder High School is one of only 163 high school councils nationwide to receive the highly-esteemed honor of being named a National Gold Council of Excellence. 

“I am extremely pleased with the honor our Student Council has received”, says Scott Cawlfield, Assistant Principal at Boulder High. “To be recognized for the exemplary work and commitment our students demonstrate on a daily basis, and being one of only 5 high schools in the state of Colorado to receive this award, the staff of Boulder High couldn’t be more proud.”

“I am very proud of the hard work this council has completed to achieve this award” says Russell Selnau, Student Council adviser at Boulder High.

“It is such an honor to be recognized as a gold standard council”, says Tate Moore, Student Body President at Boulder High. “Everyone has worked so hard and put so much effort in and I am so proud.”

To meet the requirements of the NASC National Council of Excellence award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria. Those councils named to the Gold level have successfully met a greater number of criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, schools that qualify for the award demonstrate such things 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 their state and nation student council associations.

“I am so glad that all the hard work we do in Student Council can finally be recognized”, says Flora Quinby, Council of Excellence committee chair. “Collecting all the work from the past year has taken a long time but looking back, it was worth the hard work and effort.”

“Receiving an NASC National Council of Excellence Award indicates a dedication on the part of the local school to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” says Jeff Sherrill, associate director of NASC. “NASC applauds the work of the National Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”

“I am so pleased there is an award that acknowledges the years of development and excellence of this group of leaders”, says Ruthie Banta, assistant Student Council adviser at Boulder High.

In addition to receiving this award, the Student Council at Boulder High is very excited about Keegan Velasquez, a current junior, having been elected to serve on the 2013-2014 Colorado State Student Council board as CHSAA Student Leadership President. Says Keegan, “I’m very excited for the opportunity I’ve been given to help lead the students of Colorado as CHSAA Student Leadership President. It will be a great thing for Boulder High School to develop a stronger connection with the community and the state. I’m confident many great things will come from this. I hope that Boulder High can become an incredible example to all who look in and see a school full of great leaders, great students, and a great community. We have already made a tremendous accomplishment in this by becoming a Gold Council of Excellence. My goals are to develop a way to communicate or meet with Student Leaders from around our region and the nation. I also hope to continue work from this year by reaching out to as many possible schools around the state to work on our State Projects (Make-a-Wish and Special Olympics). And finally I hope to organize meetings for schools within their districts or regions to help enable community collaboration. Building a strong community is the best resource I, along with the board of student State Representatives, can develop to ensure our success as a state. Working with our schools, and the local, regional, state, and national councils will expand our potential and allow us to make a difference now and in the future! I am honored to be in this position and I can not wait to be the President of something so powerful, so passionate, and so enduring.”

BVSD press release

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