Student Council Association Plans Service Projects While at WWU

6/1/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

The Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) will hold its annual summer leadership institute June 5-10 at William Woods University. The institute is open to all students in grades 7-12 from both public and private schools in Missouri, and each year approximately 500 students from across the state of Missouri attend. 
 
The curriculum is an active, hands-on and high-energy learning experience. Daily topics and breakout sessions include problem solving, project planning, self-esteem, parliamentary procedure and meeting skills, teambuilding, large and small group activities/projects.
 
All of these skills will be taken back home to assist the students and their home councils improve their schools and communities.  
 
For the ninth time, a free children’s carnival will be held on campus Tuesday, June 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.  Twenty-six booths will be available for students in preschool to 6th grade.   Booths include face-painting, ring toss, milk jug throw, moon bounce and a basketball shoot, to name a few.  Drinks, popcorn and cotton candy will also be available at no charge.
 
According to Terri Johnson, executive director of MASC and the camp director, the purpose of the annual carnival is two-fold.  First, it teaches campers the necessary steps in planning a project and seeing it to completion.  Second, it allows the students to do a community service project for the children of the Fulton area. 
 
“Our organization stresses the importance of teaching service,” Johnson said.  “Part of our mission is to help Student Council leaders learn the value of doing good deeds for their schools and communities.  True leadership is serving your fellow man.” 
                                                           
Special Olympics has been the MASC charity for 23 years, and again this summer Special Olympics athletes will attend the MASC summer leadership workshop to enhance their own leadership skills.
 
For the past eight years, MASC also has held a “Duck for a Buck ” race to support Special Olympics. Campers and others are encouraged to adopt a rubber duck for $1. The ducks are then “raced” across WWU’s Senior Lake at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, with the help of the Fulton Fire Department. 
 
All proceeds from the race are contributed to Special Olympics.  Over the years, MASC schools have raised more than $240,000 for Special Olympics and participated in 15,000 hours of volunteer activities.  
 
Members of the Fulton community can adopt a duck by visiting the workshop headquarters inside the McNutt Campus Center before 2 p.m. the day of the race.

In addition to the other service projects, MASC this year will collect money to be sent to Joplin, Mo., to assist in the recovery efforts.

“Many students, teachers and others in education have asked how they can help rebuild the schools and what can be done to prepare for next school year,” Johnson said.

MASC is joining the efforts of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, MSHSAA, and the Missouri Secondary School Principals in “Missouri Kids Helping Missouri Kids.”

“All money collected will be donated to this fund to support Joplin Schools.  Anyone willing to donate can do so at McNutt Campus Center June 4-9, and MASC will see that all money is delivered to Joplin at the conclusion of the leadership workshop,” Johnson said.        

For more information about the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC) annual summer leadership institute, contact Johnson at (816) 261-7079 or Mark Blakley at (314) 805-6724.