GASC Gazette
DECEMBER 2018
Pillar 1: Leadership Development
GASC State Convention 2019: Leadership Never Goes Out of Style
Friday, Feb 22, 2019, 10:00 AM
Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton, GA, USA
Registration is LIVE!
Be sure to register your schools quickly to claim your spot.
Registration closes on Friday, January 25th, 2019. Please be sure to have each attendee's name, birth date, email address, emergency contact information, and t-shirt size-- you will need this information in order to complete each registration.
Primary advisors should have received emails with unique registration links to register their schools. If not, please email gascpresident@gmail.com. Please direct any questions or concerns to them as well.
BLAST! 2019
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2019, 02:00 PM
Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton, GA, USA
NatStuco Conference 2019
Monday, Jun 24, 2019, 06:00 AM
South Fayette High School, Old Oakdale Road, McDonald, PA, USA
The theme, Forging Student Leaders, is designed to light the fire within students, advisors, and administrators as they connect with their peers and discover new ways to enhance their leadership abilities.
Throughout the three days, delegates will hear from renowned speakers, participate in lively seminars, engage in collaborative activities, and build relations with leaders from all corners of the US.
Registration is LIVE!
To register, please email Mrs. Droms, so all Georgia delegates can register together.
gascexecutivedirector@gmail.com
The early bird rate will be available until April 19th. So, register with Mrs. Droms before then to be a part of this enriching experience at a lower rate. Final registration closes June 7th.
Pillar 2: Service
State Service Project: Bert’s Big Adventure
This year, we encourage each council to fundraise at least $500 for Bert's Big Adventure. The high schools and middle schools with the most money raised and the most creative fundraiser will receive an award at this year's Convention.
These are the programs you would be helping if your council raised money for Bert's Big Adventure:
The Walt Disney World Trip Program is the original program in which each year, the organization provides a magical five-day, all-expenses-paid journey to Walt Disney World® for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. From the limo rides and chartered flight to the character-filled parties and princess makeovers, the trip is nothing short of magical. Throughout the trip, each family is accompanied by a Bert’s Big Adventure liaison, allowing them to get the most out of their once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- The Fairy Godparent Volunteer Program supports the organization's families when a Bert's Big Adventure child is admitted to a partner hospital. The Fairy Godparent volunteers visit the children daily and provide magical moments during a trying time.
- The Reunion Adventure Program is an attempt by the organization to further strengthen its established communities and friendships. These exclusive and unique events provide the families with year-round opportunities to enjoy more VIP experiences and intimate family time away from doctor visits and hospital stays.
A family can face copious, unforeseen financial struggles when a child is diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness. Through the Other Charitable Services Program, Bert's Big Adventure helps families in need fill this financial gap during trying times.
Please try to meet and exceed your $500 goal! Your contributions will help make memories that will last a life time!
Spotlight on Service
The "Spotlight on Service" Initiative is an opportunity to highlight exciting, innovating, and successful service projects that various GASC member councils have introduced at their schools.
"Christmas for a Family"
Advisor(s): Mrs. Steele
Description: This month's first spotlight on service is Newnan High School Student Council's "Christmas for a Family" project, where students raised money to provide Christmas presents for a family in need in their community.
Impact: Newnan High School students were able to raise school spirit and holiday cheer by selling Newnan Tumbler cups for fundraising to buy gifts. They were also able to impact their community by serving as a catalyst for others to serve.
"Hug a Puppy"
Advisor(s): Mrs. Kristin Murphy and Mrs. Laura Droms
Description: This month's second spotlight on service is Mountain View High School Student Council's "Hug a Puppy" project, where students brought in dogs from a local shelter for students to play with the week before finals.
Impact: Mountain View High School Student Council students were able reduce the stress of fellow classmates and peers during and before finals week. As a result, students also raised awareness for their local shelter, in hopes that the dogs brought in will be adopted.
Pillar 3: Membership
Why You Should Attend Convention
When you attend Convention, you will:
- Build your personal leadership skills
- Grow your school council
- Network with leaders from different schools around the state
- Exchange unique ideas that you can bring back to your school
- Hear from captivating keynote speakers Kate Garnes, Judson Laipply, and Alison Springer
- Attend enriching workshops
- View a student speaker showcase
- Eat tasty Rock Eagle food!
- Dance the night away at the Disco Party
- Reflect on your inner leader at the Candlelight Ceremony
- Showcase what your council has done
Remember, the registration deadline is January 25th, 2019!
A Member Reminder
1- If you are running for Executive Board
2- If you are District Representatives
3- If you hugged another school during membership drive
4- If you joined GASC at the Gold Level
5- If you are presenting a workshop at Convention
6- If you raised the individual school goal of $500 for Bert’s Big Adventure
As a member, you benefit from discounted rates for Convention!
$210 for Student/Advisor Delegate + $15 for Pre-Conference
Pillar 4: Connections
Humans of GASC
Kara Holmberg
Position: President
School: Lambert High School
Grade: 12th
Favorite Quote(s): "Ancora Imparo"—"I am still learning"
Social Media: Instagram: @karajholmberg
Kara Holmberg is a Senior at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia. She currently serves as one of this year's Presidents. Throughout her student career and along with serving as a GASC President, Kara also serves as Lambert High School's Beta Club President. Kara's most notable achievements includes being elected to serve as Beta Club Vice President at Lambert High School(Junior Year), selected as one of Lambert’s 2019 Outstanding Seniors, serving as a District 1 Representative, and winning 1st Place in the National Beta Club State Competition in Speech. Kara says her favorite GASC Memory was attending the NatStuco Convention in Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 2017. "Attending the national conference was extremely eye opening for me. It was incredible to learn the wide variety of ways that other leaders bring positive change to the people and world around them. I met leaders from almost every state, and I bonded with the other Georgia delegates quicker than I’ve ever bonded with a group of people before. I will never forget the memories I made at Nationals and the way I craved more GASC experiences after the conference," Kara says.
Jeremiah de Sesto
Position: Secretary
School: Houston County High School
Grade: 12th
Favorite Quote(s) "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper"
Social Media: Instagram: @jeremiahdesesto Twitter: @jeremiahdesesto
Jeremiah de Sesto is a Senior at Houston County High School in Warner Robins, Georgia. He currently serves as one of this year's Secretaries. Jeremiah served as the National Beta Club President and the Georgia Beta Club State President. He founded and currently serves as CEO of Cover to Cover Non-Profit Organization, a 501(c)3 initiative that helps low income families in need of academic support. Some of his notable achievements include admittance into Cornell University as an Endowed Scholar, admittance into Yale Young Global Scholars, a speaker and organizer at multiple TEDx Events, and being chosen to be a part of the GASC Honor Council. Jeremiah says his favorite GASC Memory was attending GASC Convention for the first time his freshman year. "Almost four years ago, I was introduced into an organization that would serve as a catalyst in my role as a servant leader. I will truly cherish my experience with GASC and the community it fosters. Our world needs young leaders that can balance academic curiosity with civic responsibility and, as such, GASC members truly embody these characteristics," says Jeremiah.
Pillar 5: Democratic Principles
2019-2020 Executive Board
Pillar 6: Advisor Development
Advisor of the Month
Angela Dean and Melissa Yarborough
For this month's edition of the Advisor of the Month initiative, we are highlighting two great advisors! Mrs. Angela Dean and Mrs. Melissa Yarborough are co-advisors from Madison County High School. Mrs. Angela Dean is an ELA teacher who helps with literacy and reading support for students of all grades at Madison County. Mrs. Melissa Yarborough co-teaches with various English teachers and works with Special Education as well as the Head Coach of Cheerleading.These two amazing advisors have been the catalyst for Madison County's success through their student council. Madison County has started initiatives such as organizing a can food drive (collecting over 2,000 cans), organizing the Madison County homecoming and prom, help bring Chick-fil-A Leader Academy at Madison County, creating the first annual trunk or treat drive, creating the First Day Back to School Rally, starting Daily gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, creating Valentine Grams for Students, and creating Teacher Appreciation Stars written by students. Students at Madison County say that these advisors have consistently shown the right way of leadership through giving back to the community. Students say that they take in every single feedback or opinion into consideration when deciding what to do. "Leaving people out or behind is never an option for them, for they choose alternate ways to accommodate or serve them. Their selflessness shines. It is the greatest quality that every student and adult can take from them. It is a quality that I truly believe to be critical in a successful life," says Wendy Qiu, a student at Madison County High School. On behalf of GASC, we would like to thank Mrs. Angela Dean and Melissa Yarborough for their hard work and dedication.
Advisor of the Month Nominations
In order to be considered for the January edition of the Gazette, please complete the form by January 25th.
National Conference for Student Activities
The conference consisted of learning about the "Head, Heart, and Hands" of leadership, while connecting with like minded individuals all over the country. On behalf of GASC, we would like to thank our wonderful advisors and teachers who attended the conference and we hope that your experience was personal enriching!
We Got That Georgia Pride!
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Leadership Lives Here!
Taking GASC into the New Year
As a part of your GASC membership, remember to keep track of these important dates!
January 25: Registration for GASC State Convention Closes
January 25: Letter of Intent for 2019-2020 Executive Board Elections is due
February 22-24: GASC 2019 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA
April 19: Last Day to register for the 2019 NatStuco Conference with Early Bird Rates
June 7: Registration for 2019 NatStuco Conference Closes
June 24-26: NatStuco Conference 2019 in McDonough, PA
July 17-20: BLAST! 2019 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA
To view previous editions of the Gazette, click on the buttons below!
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