Poplar Bluff High School will host the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention next year, a three-day workshop projected to bring to the community 1,000 students and 100 advisers.
For the first time in school history, according to educators, PBHS will play a role in leading the statewide organization this year, having been named the State President School during the 76th annual MASC Convention held Thursday through Saturday, March 14-16, at Carthage High School.
In addition to landing the 2025 convention bid, PBHS Student Council was designated a gold-level Honor Council of Excellence for the fifth year in a row; earned the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) School of Character Award of Merit for the third consecutive year; and received the most unique event award entitled Jane’s Favorite Things, another school first.
“Our students found a way to incorporate all of their best qualities into this campaign,” said PBHS communication arts teacher Stephen Patty, StuCo co-adviser. “They showed their creativity, their dedication to service and the passion they have for creating a positive atmosphere in our school.”
Patty’s colleague Jennie Randolph recapped how student attendees gained the most votes from participating schools by drawing visitors to their “Hunger Games”-themed booth with a SOMO raffle and giveaways that included candy and friendship bracelets. In their campaign, PBHS StuCo members shared about the activities they have led, leadership positions held, awards achieved and characteristics the students strive to possess.
“I’m excited about seeing all the councils in Missouri come together and bond in our own High School,” stated PBHS junior Destiny Jackson, who holds the StuCo ‘gusto expert’ position. “It could be a lot of students’ first convention and it’s amazing they’re able to see it happen on our own campus.”
McKenzie Haynes, StuCo social media coordinator, added how she is excited about being a bigger part of the state organization. "It's a huge responsibility, but I am willing to take on the challenge and step out of our comfort zones as a council and with our new leadership team next year," the sophomore said. Other members expressed how they are excited about implementing their ideas in establishing a theme, helping to set up and selecting guest speakers.
Additionally, StuCo has received the gold award as an Honor Council for 12 years total since 2010. In order to achieve the recognition, the highest honor that MASC bestows upon its membership, students complete benchmarks such as having a written constitution, holding a democratic election process, engaging in staff appreciation activities, leading discussion groups at meetings, and helping to host events such as Chartwells’ annual Community Thanksgiving.
PBHS also earned the School of Character Award again in a three-way tie with Odessa and Rolla High School. The Award of Merit is designated for schools that display the most outstanding commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities, a true understanding of unity and a passion for raising money and awareness for SOMO athletes. In recent years, PBHS has launched a Unified Champions club, started an athletic letter banquet for SOMO participants and helped MASC donate a lifetime total of over $1.5 million to the sports organization through fundraisers.
Individual student honors earned during the convention included Distinguished Senior Leader awards for 12th graders Bryden Fuemmeler, Grace Neighbors and Addison Shell, plus a scholarship for sophomore Evelyn Nelson to attend the Summer Leadership Workshop.
###
Cutline: Poplar Bluff High School StuCo representatives bring home numerous awards from the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention hosted over spring break in Carthage.