Oklahoma Association of Student Councils

Last updated April 29, 2019

Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) is an educational, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational leadership training and opportunities for students and sponsors of member schools. The OASC, one of the nation's premiere state student councils, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals.

Educational leadership is the process of enlisting and guiding the talents and energies of teachers, pupils, and parents toward achieving common educational aims. This term is often used synonymously with School leadership in the United States and has supplanted educational management in the United Kingdom. Several universities in the United States offer graduate degrees in educational leadership.

A student council is a curricular or extracurricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. These councils are present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada, Greece, Australia and Asia. Student councils often serve to engage students in learning about democracy and leadership, as originally espoused by John Dewey in Democracy and Education (1917).

General information

The Oklahoma Association of Student Councils is composed of 14 districts across the state of Oklahoma. The OASC sponsors a variety of activities that are available to all member schools. Activities include an annual convention held at an elected secretary's school, summer workshops, fall advisor's workshops, and additional activities.

Oklahoma is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, Texas on the south, New Mexico on the west, and Colorado on the northwest. It is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the fifty United States. The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla and humma, meaning "red people". It is also known informally by its nickname, "The Sooner State", in reference to the non-Native settlers who staked their claims on land before the official opening date of lands in the western Oklahoma Territory or before the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889, which dramatically increased European-American settlement in the eastern Indian Territory. Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged into the State of Oklahoma when it became the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907. Its residents are known as Oklahomans, and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.

A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom. Trade conventions typically focus on a particular industry or industry segment, and feature keynote speakers, vendor displays, and other information and activities of interest to the event organizers and attendees. Professional conventions focus on issues of concern along with advancements related to the profession. Such conventions are generally organized by societies or communities dedicated to promotion of the topic of interest. Fan conventions usually feature displays, shows, and sales based on pop culture and guest celebrities. Science fiction conventions traditionally partake of the nature of both professional conventions and fan conventions, with the balance varying from one to another. Conventions also exist for various hobbies, such as gaming or model railroads.

President

Tobias Johnson.

Executive Board

The OASC's governing body is composed of an executive board consisting of an Executive Director, a 3rd-Year Advisor, a 2nd-Year Advisor, and a 1st-Year Advisor as well as three state officers.

Dawn Brockman from Norman High School currently serves as the Executive Director of the OASC.
State officers are students leaders elected by member schools to serve as the OASC's State President, Vice President, and Secretary. All state officers serve for a term of one year.
The 1st-Year Advisor is elected by the member-school's student council sponsors at the annual state convention each November. Once elected, the 1st-Year Advisor will serve for three years; serving first as the 1st-Year advisor then moving into the role of 2nd-Year Advisor and finally serving as the 3rd-Year Advisor in their final year on the Executive Board.
For 2012/2013, the 3rd-Year Advisor is Tammy Jensen from Putnam City West High School, the 2nd -Year Advisor is Denise Tomlinson from Berryhill High School, and the 1st-Year Advisor is Tommie Grant from Stillwater High School.
Duties for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-Year Advisors are outlined in the OASC Advisor Handbook.

Norman High School is a four-year public high school in Norman, Oklahoma with a steady enrollment of approximately 2,000 students. It is accredited by North Central Association, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The school year consists of two 15-week semesters with a 6 class flexible schedule, consisting of 52 minute periods. Norman High School is part of the Norman Independent School District No. 29 of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, more commonly known as Norman Public Schools (NPS). Norman High was ranked as one of the top 1,400 high schools in the United States in 2009.

Stillwater High School is a secondary school located within Payne County in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States.

State Convention

The OASC State Convention is held each November at the State Secretary's school. Each year, member schools send delegates to the convention to enhance their leadership skills, hear motivational speakers and network with other student leaders from throughout the state.

Leadership is both a research area and a practical skill encompassing the ability of an individual or organization to "lead" or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. Specialist literature debates various viewpoints, contrasting Eastern and Western approaches to leadership, and also United States versus European approaches. U.S. academic environments define leadership as "a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task".

A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. Such speakers may attempt to challenge or transform their audiences. The speech itself is popularly known as a pep talk.

The 2013 state convention will be held in Bixby, OK.
The 2014 state convention will be held in Del City, OK.
The 2015 state convention will again be held in Yukon, OK.
The 2016 state convention will be held in Guymon, OK.

Del City High School is the only public high school located in Del City, Oklahoma, USA, and one of three high schools in the Mid-Del School District. The school opened in 1953. According to GreatSchools.org, the high school is rated above Midwest City High School and below Carl Albert High School, the other two high schools in the district. The school serves approximately 1,254 students. About a third of graduating students attend a four-year college.

Previous conventions have been held at various locations throughout the state of Oklahoma.

The 2012 state convention was held in Pryor, OK on November 3–5. The theme for the 2012 Convention was "Where Reel Leaders Are Made", and highlighted the state's leaders through roles as directors, producers, actors and crew. The motivational speakers included Rhett Laubach, Lonnie Moore and Harriet Turk.
The 2011 state convention was held in Skiatook, OK on November 5–7. The theme for the 2011 Convention was ImagiNative, and highlighted the region's Native American heritage. The motivational speakers included Mark Scharenbroich, Judson Laipply, Ted Wiese and Bill Cordes. Delegates also had the option of attending a non-denominational service with US Congressman James Lankford.
The 2010 state convention was held in Yukon, OK on November 6–8 with the theme "Cruisin' The World of Leadership." The motivational speakers were Keith Hawkins, The "Original" Mike Smith, and Sam Glenn.
The 2009 state convention was held at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma on November 7–9. "About 1,500 student leaders from across the state" attended this year's convention.^[1] The theme for this convention was "Lead Like A Champion!" The motivational speakers were Madeline Manning Mims, Kevin Carroll and Sherri Coale. Sherri Coale's warned Oklahoma's delegates that "The acceptance of mediocrity stains society" and that "many people settle, hanging on until Friday and aim only for survival." Coale "urged students to find their passion, make purposeful steps toward their goal and give their best shot, whether through the basketball net or life".^[2]
The 2008 convention was hosted by Jenks High School.^[3]
The 2007 convention was hosted by Putnam City North High School.
The 2006 convention was hosted by Yukon High School.
The 2005 convention was hosted by Tulsa Union High School.

BASIC

The OASC hosts the Basic Leadership camp twice each summer for student leaders who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at member schools. Basic is offered in both June and July at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. "Students will be divided into 10 councils where they will come up with a school name, mascot, colors and a school song and yell. They also will participate in breakout sessions that will include leadership styles, team building, etiquette, school spirit and activities. The group also will be having a banquet" and a mixer.^[4] Basic provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in communication, project planning and problem solving, plus work on interpersonal relations, team building, self-esteem and goal setting. Students will also work with a Junior Counselor (JC) during their Basic experience. A JC is a student who recently graduated from a member high school and previously attended Basic as a delegate. The JC's role is to help the adult advisor facilitate activities and presentations, supervise and assist student delegates, and serve as a role model for all students during the camp. Delegate and JC applications are available on the OASC web site. All delegate applications must be postmarked by May 1.

Advanced

The OASC hosts the Advanced Leadership Camp four times each summer for student leaders who will be seniors at member schools and have previously attended Basic. Advanced is offered twice in June and twice in July on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Advanced provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to "advance" their leadership skills through small-group leadership situations and team-building activities. Delegates will also participate in a high ropes course during their experience.^[5] Delegate applications are available on the OASC web site.

National Association of Student Councils

The OASC is also affiliated with the National Association of Student Councils. The NASC hosts a national student council convention each summer. The convention feature nationally known motivational speakers as well as nationally known speakers from the world of business, show business and sports. Student-led discussion groups, entertainment based on local attractions, and a community service project are all annual events. The National convention is an excellent opportunity for students and advisors to interact and connect with other students and advisors from around America and countries abroad. Applications and information about the NASC Convention are available at the NASC Convention web site.

The OASC hosted the 2012 Summer National Conference at Yukon High School . The theme for the conference was "Blazing the Trail of Leadership." The conference was held at Yukon High School, from June 23–25, 2012. Featured speakers included Keith Hawkins, Judson Laipply and Monte Selby.

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References

↑ Parker Jones, Julianna: The Norman Transcript, State student council convention coming to Norman this weekend, November 3, 2009.
↑ Light, Nanette: The Norman Transcript, Coale: Don't ever give up, November 10, 2009.
↑ Plummer, Sara: The Tulsa World, A Conventional Lesson, August 18, 2008.
↑ Case, Valarie: Northwestern to be site for Student Council Camp, July 10, 2008.
↑ Griswold, Jennifer: The Daily Oklahoman, Students learn to develop leadership skills in Norman, June 27, 2009.

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[1] Parker Jones, Julianna: The Norman Transcript, State student council convention coming to Norman this weekend, November 3, 2009.

[2] Light, Nanette: The Norman Transcript, Coale: Don't ever give up, November 10, 2009.

[3] Plummer, Sara: The Tulsa World, A Conventional Lesson, August 18, 2008.

[4] Case, Valarie: Northwestern to be site for Student Council Camp, July 10, 2008.

[5] Griswold, Jennifer: The Daily Oklahoman, Students learn to develop leadership skills in Norman, June 27, 2009.