Missouri student councils revel in Central's show

STATE CONVENTION

By Bob Miller ~ Southeast Missourian

All morning, the Cape Girardeau Central High student council put on quite a show.

Pulsating music, laughter, glow sticks, flashing lights, skits, choreographed dancing, dry ice and a few high-pitched "whoop whoops" saturated Central's gymnasium as more than 1,000 students from 24 schools congregated for the Missouri Association of Student Councils' state convention.

Though he may have been in the minority, Jackson High School's Charles Flint found his favorite part of the day not under the strobes' flashes, but under the florescent lighting of the classroom.

"I'm having a blast here," he said. "My favorite part would have to be the discussion sessions. What I came here to do is to learn how to make my school better and I've definitely done that."

Dividing the day

The second day of the convention was basically arranged into three parts: A glorified pep rally that included skits and routines performed by schools running for MASC offices; work sessions; and finally a banquet.

Highlights of the day included keynote speaker Kevin Wanzer, whose infectious giggle seemed to help connect with the audience immediately.

Wanzer talked about keeping a joyful heart throughout adulthood and being "authentic."

His optimistic message seemed to get across.

"I liked the way he brought humor to the situation," said Eli Helms of Mansfield High School.

Skits and dance

The students spent much of the morning and early afternoon watching different schools perform. Numerous schools run for various positions -- secretary, first and second vice presidents and president -- and they each have an opportunity to set themselves apart with skits.

The majority of the councils participated some sort of dancing as they performed choreographed moves to modern pop songs. Others attempted comedy, doing skits based on movies like "Forrest Gump" and television shows like "Saturday Night Live."

"Oh my gosh, this has been fantastic," said Terri Johnson, MASC executive director. "This school has done an outstanding job with this conference. They worked the entire year planning for this."

Central's Nathan Foley has played a large part in organizing the event as a convention chairman.

"Just to know that there's so many motivated students out there is great," he said. "They're all here to be the best leaders they can be."

There was a wide variety of subjects covered in the work sessions. They focused on how to raise money and organize events.

One group from Truman High School in Independence, Mo., spoke about a Veterans Day assembly that earned about $1,000. Students donated $10 for each flag in memory or honor of veterans they knew, and the flags were displayed in classrooms and around the school.

The idea came about after the Sept. 11 attacks. The classes wanted to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but there weren't flags in all the classrooms.

"No one even realized that we didn't have enough flags before September 11," said Kelly Moore, president of Truman High's student council. "This was probably the best assembly we ever had because of the cooperation of the students."

Flint said he learned about spirit days and variety shows.

Another discussion addressed the organization of events.

Representatives from Republic High School near Springfield, Mo., said they institute committees to do specific jobs. But everybody is responsible for cleanup activities.

"You have to clean up or you get kicked off," Republic sophomore Lanie Leong said.

The students will gather at 9 a.m. today for the closing session. Carol Reimann is the keynote speaker.

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127