Kennedy High School Receives National Student Council Award

Editor's Note: This article was written by representatives of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Bellmore JFK High School has been awarded a 2013 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC).

Nearly 180 high school councils were named National Councils of Excellence. Of those, Bellmore JFK High School is one of the only 163 high school councils nationwide to receive the highly esteemed honor of being named National Gold Council of Excellence.

The application for review by the National Association of Student Councils was completed by the group’s Vice President, Jesse Richheimer.

“The process of completing this lengthy application was difficult and tedious; however, as I completed each part, I became more and more aware of the tremendous amount of work that is done by the Kennedy Student Government,” Richheimer said. “It is fulfilling to see how important the group is to the overall program at Kennedy High School.”

To meet the requirements for the NASC National Councils of Excellence Award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria. Those councils named to the Gold level have successfully met a greater number of the criterion. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, schools that qualify for the award demonstrate such things as leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in their state and national student council associations.

“Receiving and NASC National Gold Council of Excellence award reflect the highest dedication on the part of the local school providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” says Jeff Sherril, associate director of NASC. “NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”

"We're thrilled to see that all of our hard work in making the Student Government here at Kennedy High School the most successful club in the school has paid off with this recognition of excellence," Student Government President Scott Fessler said.  

“I am thrilled that the student government was named to the National Association of Student Council’s Gold Council of Excellence,” Principal Lorraine Poppe added. “This award affirms the integral role the student government continues to play in our school and community.  In the past few years, Kennedy’s student government has organized a host of events that benefit charitable causes and promote school spirit.  The impact of these events is seen daily. I am most impressed by the work the students have done to raise funds for our hurricane relief efforts; this is just one example of the work being done.  I look forward to other activities, like ‘Dancing with the Teachers,’ that combine service with school spirit.  This is a winning combination!  Congratulations to the students and Mr. Seidman for this recognition, and thank you for all work you do for Kennedy!”

Mr. Brad Seidman, the faculty advisor to the Kennedy Student Government, congratulated the current and former members of the group.  

“I commend all of our members, including those from years past, whose dedication and leadership have developed the Kennedy Student Government,” he said. “I am proud of all of them for their immeasurable commitment to the many programs and activities that they sponsor.”

The National Association of Student Councils (NASC) promotes and provides leadership development opportunities to prepare and empower students to serve their schools and communities. NASC is a program of National Association of Secondary School Principles (NASSP). The NASSP- the preeminent organization and national voice for middle level and high school leaders- also sponsors the National Honor Society (NHS) and the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), which recognizes outstanding middle level and high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. For more information on NASC, visit www.nasc.us.