For the first time in school history, Student Council (StuCo) members traveled to the nation’s capitol to attend a conference for StuCo members across the world.

“It shows that our students are genuinely interested in government and the process,” principal Nanette Chesney said. “If they are passionate about something, we want to make sure they have as many opportunities as possible.”

Groups from all over the world presented ideas for improving school activities, such as dances and spirit weeks, at the nationwide conference at Washington D.C. from Jan. 31-Feb. 1. StuCo members also learned methods for inspiring students to achieve more academically, according to Bronson. Nineteen students from StuCo presented their thoughts on leadership and academics, along with suggestions for other councils to enact in their own schools.

“The trip made me proud to be an American,” sophomore StuCo representative Jordan George said. “It reminded me what our country stands for and who we are.”

A few things StuCo learned and will implement include: incentives to encourage students to achieve more academically; plans to put their officers through a better training program, benefitting the school by bettering its leaders; and increasing awareness of cyberbullying with a presentation featuring at next year’s sophomore orientation.

In addition to attending leadership conference, StuCo representatives visited memorials and toured the capitol building and the White House. However, one of the students’ favorite parts was meeting the other StuCo members.

“My kids got a lot of positive feedback,” Advisor Amber Bronson said. “They also got to interact with kids from all over the world, and it was a great experience.”