VHS Student Leaders Travel to Indiana Student Council State Convention

This past weekend (November 5-6) the Valparaiso High School Student Council and I had the privilege of attending the Indiana Association of Student Councils State Convention. The convention is held every year around the first week of November. Though the convention is usually held at a different high school every year, this year it was held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The State Convention is focused around speakers, workshops, and building leadership skills.

This year we had the pleasure of listening to three different speakers:

The first speaker, Bob Tryanski, started off the convention speaking of how leadership is not just about doing everything for others. He stated, “You can’t always be the one to do everything, leadership is about stepping aside to help others find the lime light.” Leaders find ways to get everyone involved and not just do everything for themselves.

“Mr. Phil” Gugliuzza, the second speaker, drew attention to the “invisible” kids in America and taught simple ways to make those kids feel like they belong in the school.

The last speaker, Russ Peak, spoke in an unusual way. He taught lessons of leadership through extraordinary mental feats. Peak, a mentalist, used his psychological skills to make his presentations fun and intuitive.

All three speakers provided the students and advisors with great new ways on how to lead others. I have gone for the past three years and by far, this year’s speakers were the BEST I have seen. They were welcoming, funny, and very informative. Students also attended different workshops about Riley Children’s Hospital Dance Marathon, Project Linus, and different small presentations with the above speakers. The Riley Dance Marathon is a program that has reached all over the country. Both IU and Purdue hold one each year and raise a good sum of money for the hospital. “Project Linus” is a service project where you can donate or make a blanket to give to someone in need of one.

Listening to speakers and doing workshops are not the only thing the convention goers did. We had many exciting activities on Saturday night. The night was spent at the Indiana State Museum where we could wander through the museum, dance to the music from a DJ, or see a mental show performed by Russ Peak. We concluded the night by all sitting on the steps outside the for a candle lighting ceremony. At this very reflective moment, we all held candles and thought about our dreams.

This is my favorite part because it is a way to silently reflect by yourself and as a whole group, and the view of everyone holding a candle is miraculous.

The weekend ended up being a huge success. I am so happy that I go the chance to attend this convention. The experience really caps off the beginning of the end of my high school Student Council career.

For more information please visit: Indiana Association of Student Council, Bob Tryanski, “Mr. Phil” Gugliuzza, Russ Peak, and Heartbreakers Entertainment.

Photo 1: VHS Student Council members: Rachel Wichlinski, Jenni Mallek, Sam Yaros, Hadley Kalin, Chandler Nielson, Conner Sunday, Gretchen Kohler, Kurt Kohler, JP Kunze, Mona Sehgal, Crystal Collins, and Kathryn Bower.

Photo 2: Students from the Indiana State Convention dance the night away to music to DJ Tippy and Heartbreakers Entertainment.

Photo 3: JP Kunze and other Indiana students hold their candles up during Saturday night’s candle ceremony.