PNQ September 2015

Volume 40 • Issue 1 • September 2015

PASC News Quarterly

Pnq Scholarship Opportunities

Time to Climb

PA Adviser Wins National Award

5

Board Positions Available

2

4

7

Project Implementation

9

KeystoneCouncil Awards

3

Honoring those who serve 9

Get the Word Out

7

SuccessfulHomecomings

10

PASC News Quarterly • September 2015 • www.pasc.net2

PASC Board Positions AvailablePASC is accepting applications for two positions on the PASC board:

Executive Director (3-year term)•YoumustbeaffiliatedwithaPASCschoolandbeanactiveorretiredteacher.Addition-allyyoumustbeabletomissapproximately10schooldaysandhaveaccesstocopyingandafaxmachine.

•Foradetailedjobdescriptionandanapplication,pleasecontactKathyColl,[email protected].

•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA

Resource Development Coordinator (3-year term)•TheresourcedevelopmentcoordinatorisresponsiblefororganizingfundraisingeventsanddevelopingpartnershipsoutsideofPASC.Formoreinformationandanapplica-tion,pleasecontactRoseAnnFulena,[email protected].

•DeadlinetoapplyisDecember15,2015•InterviewswilltakeplaceonFriday,January8,2016,inAltoona,PA

LEAD Conference Planned for January in Washington, D.C. TheNationalAssociationofStudentCouncilsoffersagreat

opportunitytogetnationalconferenceexperienceandre-sourcesatanaffordablecostthroughitsLEADConferences.DesignedformiddlelevelandhighschoolstudentcouncilandNationalHonorSocietyleadersandtheiradvisors,theseexcitingandrewardingweekendmeetingsaredesignedtoencourageinterstatecommunicationamongstudentleadersandadvisors,tostrengthenleadershipskills,andtopreparethoseattendingforleadershiprolesonthelocal,state,andregionallevels.

Thisschoolyear,aconferencewillbeheldinourareaJanuary29–31,2016.Conferencedetailsandprogramhighlightscanbefoundatwww.LEADConferences.org.Theearlybirdregistrationfeewillbe$200perdelegate.HotelreservationscanbemadeattheHyattRegencyCrystalCityHotelinArlington,VA.Thehotelrateis$125perroom,pernight,plustax(currently13%).

Plan Now to Attend NASC National Conference in Portland, OregonCenturyHighSchoolinHillsboro,Oregonhasbeenchosenasthesiteforthe2016

NASCNationalConference.ConferencedatesareFriday,June24throughSunday,June26.PASCwillplanapre-conferencetrip,whichshouldbeginonapproximatelyJune21.TripandconferencedetailswillbesharedintheNovemberissueofPASC News.Antici-patedcostincludingconferenceregistration,hotelaccommodations,travel,meals,pre-tripentertainmentandT-shirtsshouldbeapproximately$1,700–$1.800.

Ifyouareplanningonattendingnationals,PASCencouragesstudentstosubmitwork-shopstopresentatthenationalconference.IfyouhavesuccessfullypresentedaworkshopatastateconferenceandareplanningtoattendthenationalconferenceinPortland,Oregon,considersubmittingaworkshopproposal.

InsIde ThIs Issue

PASC Board Positions Available .. 2

LEAD Conference Planned for

January in Washington DC ........... 2

NASC National Conference in

Portland, Oregon ............................ 2

Applications Now Available for

Keystone Council Awards ............ 3

PASC Web Coordinator Position

Changes Hands ............................... 3

National Conference on Student

Activities........................................... 3

Jaros Awarded 2015 NASC Adviser

of the Year ....................................... 4

Act Now on Scholarship Opportu-

nities .................................................. 5

Candidates for Middle Level Repre-

sentatives Needed ......................... 6

Seeking Regional Reps from

Districts 6-10-12 ............................ 6

Reflections on NASC National

Conference ...................................... 6

2015 Conference Update: It’s Time

to Climb ........................................... 7

How To… Get the Word Out ..... 7

Alumni Profile: Jess Leidy .............. 8

Project Implementation ................ 9

Honoring Those Who Serve ........ 9

Seven Steps to a Successful Home-

coming .............................................. 10

PASC News Quarterly • September 2015 • www.pasc.net 3

PASCisexcitedtoonceagainofferanopportunityforcouncilstoreceivePASC’sKeystoneCouncilAward,aprogramstartedbyDanieleCromer,formerPASCStatePresidentfromBoyertownAreaHS,twoyearsago.The2014¬–15recipientswill be honored at the state conference in HarrisburginNovember.

TheKeystoneCouncilAwardsarede-signedtofulfillPASC’svisionofrecogniz-ingschoolandindividualachievements.DifferentfromNASC’sNationalCouncilofExcellenceAward,theseacknowledge-mentsoperatesolelyonastatelevelandwillhighlightPASCmembercouncilsthataretrulyremarkable.PASCispresentingyourcouncilwithnotonlyachallenge,butalsowithanopportunitytogrowandtoimprovethroughself-evaluation.Wechallengeyoutobeginkeepingarecordofallofthewonderfulthingsyoudosoyourcouncilcanbehonoredatthestateconfer-enceatDeerLakesHighSchoolin2016.

Tomoreeffectivelyhonorallstudentcouncils,thereareseparateMiddleLevelandHighSchoolapplicationsfortheawards.Bothoftheseapplicationsare

nowviewableonwww.pasc.netunderthe“AwardsandScholarships”tab.Clickonschoolandcouncilawardstofindthehighschoolandmiddleschoolapplications.Atthistime,yourcouncilcanprintoutand

begintocompletetheapplication,whichmustbesubmittedbyMay20,2016.Weencourageyoutotakeadvantageofthisdeadline,seeingitasanopportunitytothoroughlyevaluateyourcouncil’saccom-plishmentsfortheyear.

ASelectionCommitteewillreviewapplicationsandnotifyschoolsreceivingKeystoneCouncilAwardsbyOctober1,

2016.Allprojectscompletedduringthe2015–2016schoolyearareeligibleforre-viewontheapplication.KeystoneCouncilsmustmeetcriteriaincategoriessuchasFinancialProcedures,CivicEngagement,andStudentVoice.PASCiseagertoseemorecouncilsreceivethisawardtoshowjusthowamazingPennsylvaniastudentcouncilsare!

ThisyeartherewillbeaspecialdrawingattheHalifaxStateConferenceafteralltheKeystoneCouncilSchoolsarerecognizedonstage.OneluckyKeystoneCouncilSchoolwillreceiveascholarshiptoattendoneofoursummerleadershipcampsthatwillbeofferedin2016.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheappli-cationprocess,pleasecontactLisaBernetatpasccommunications@gmail.com.LisaisthechairoftheKeystoneCouncilCom-mitteeandwouldbehappytoansweranyquestionsyoumayhave.

Nowisthetimetoprinttheapplicationandbegintheprocess.PASCchallengesyoutohelpusdoubletheamountofrecipi-ents of this award at the State Conference in2016.GoodLuck!

Applications Now Available for Keystone Council Awards

PASC Web Coordinator Position Changes HandsLongtimePASCWebCoordinatorDottyNollofficiallyretiredfromthePASCBoard

inAugust.DottyservedastheWebCoordinatorsince2002andfor21yearsshewasastaffmemberatSusquehannaGold,teachingbothorganizationalskillsandprojectplanning.DottytaughtatEasternLebanonCountyHSfor25yearsandwasthestudentcounciladvisorthereuntilherretirementin2012.

DottywasresponsibleformanyofPASC’stechnologicaladvances.Sheinitiatedourwebsite,pasc.net,aswellasemailaccounts,GoogleDocsforboardmeetings,onlineregistrationforconferences,ACT48creditforadvisors,andonlineregistrationforthenationaltrip,advisoractivityworkshop,andyouthsummit.CommunicationisthekeytoasuccessfulorganizationandDottywasresponsibleforbringingFacebookandTwittertoPASC.

In2011DottywasnamedasthePASCAdvisoroftheyearandwentontobeselectedastheRegion2AdvisoroftheYear.PASCthanksDottyforherdedicationtoteaching,advising,andPASC.Bestwishesandenjoyyourretirement!

ReplacingDottyontheboardastheWebsiteCoordinatorsareRJLongfromEmoryH.MarkleIntermediateSchoolandKyleKauffmanfromSouthWesternHighSchool,bothintheSouthWesternSchoolDistrict.BothRJandKylehaveservedontheboardinthepastasdistrictdirectors.Welcomeback!

The Power of Student ActivitiesTheNationalConferenceonStudent

Activities,sponsoredbytheNationalAssociationofWorkshopDirectors,isagreatopportunityforadvisorstogainnewexperiencesandinformationabouteffec-tivelyworkingwithstudentleaders.Thisyear’sconferencewillbeheldDecember4–6inNiagaraFalls,NewYork.

Featuring“ThePOWERofLeadership”asitstheme,theconferenceisdesignedtoprovideprogramstrandsthatencourageparticipationofawidevarietyofactivityadvisors,schooladministrators,leader-shipeducators,motivationalspeakers,andconsultants.

Formoreinformationandtoregister,visithttp://www.nawd.com/conference/index.html


Executive DirectorRose Ann Fulena Union Area Middle School2106 Camden AvenueNew Castle, PA 16101PH: 724-971-4599FX: [email protected]

Assistant Executive DirectorKathy Ann Coll174 Link AvenuePittsburgh, PA [email protected]

PASC PresidentMichaela LynchHalifax High School3940 Peters Mountain Rd.Halifax, PA 17032

PASC President-ElectTyler RaubDeer Lakes High SchoolCheswick, PA

PASC News DirectorLisa BernetFleetwood Area Middle School610-944-7634 [email protected]

PASC News Editor/DesignerLyn FiscusLeadership Logistics

PASC Email:[email protected]

PASC Website:www.pasc.net

PASC News Quarterly is published quarterly during the school year. To submit announcements, articles, or corrections for newsletters, please email the PASC News Director, Executive Director, or Assistant Executive Director. Articles or information from PASC News Quarterly may be reproduced for use, with appropriate credit.

EachyearNASChonorsstudentcounciladvisersthroughouttheUnitedStatesatitsannualconference.Thisyear,JackieJa-ros,studentcounciladviseratDeerLakesMiddleSchoolinCheswick,PA,wasnamedthe2015WarrenE.ShullNationalMiddleLevelAdviser.

JaroswasselectedatthePASCstateconferenceinAltoonaasthePennsylvaniaMiddleLevelAdviseroftheYear.InMarchshewasselectedastheRegion2adviseroftheyear,andinJuneinAlbuquerque,NewMexico,shereceivedthisprestigiousaward,makingPennsylvaniaproud!

Jarosputsincountlesshoursandherentireheartintostudentleadershipdevelopment.Describedaspassionate,dedicated,loyal,andempathetic,JarosisaguidancecounselorandhasservedastheDeerLakesMiddleSchoolstudentcounciladviserfor14years.

Throughherleadership,thestudentsatDeerLakeshavecometogetherforbothspiritactivitiesandmeaningfulserviceprojects,raisingfundsfororganizations

suchasMake-A-Wish,FourDiamondsFoundation,theASPCA,BestBuddies,andTeamTassy:HatsforHaiti.Jarosbelievesinmakingtheworldabetterplaceforfuturegenerations.

AccordingtoDeerLakesprincipalDavidCampos,whattrulysetsJarosapartfromtherestisherabilitytomakepeoplefeelspecial:“Ihavewitnessedquietstudentsfindthecouragetogiveapublicspeech;studentswhostrugglesociallyparticipatingwith‘popular’students;andstudentswithspecialneedsnotjustmadetofeelasiftheywerepartofsomething,butrathertotrulybepartofsomething.”

PASCextendsaspecialthankstoalloftheeducatorswhoputincountlesshoursasadvisersintheirschools!PleaseconsidernominatingyouradviserforAdviseroftheYear.Talktoyourdistrictdirectortofindouthowyouradvisercanbenominated.Goodlucktoallofthe2015nomineesaswelookforwardtoselectingthenextPAHighSchoolandMiddleLevelAdvisersoftheYearinHarrisburg.

Jaros Awarded 2015 NASC Adviser of the Year

Jackie Jaros of Deer Lake MS was awarded the presti-gious Warren E. Shull National Middle Level Adviser of the Year award at last summer’s NASC Conference.

Mark your calendars: PASC Summer Camp Datesn Grove City College Blue:

July 10–14n Alvernia University Blue:

July 24–28n Grove City College Gold:

July 17–22 n Susquehanna University Gold: July 24–29

n Advanced Gold: University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown or Alvernia University:

July 10–16 or July 17–23


Act Now on Scholarship Opportunities52nd Annual United States Senate Youth Scholarship Program Twostudentdelegatesfromeachstatewillbechosentoreceive

$5,000collegescholarshipsandtheopportunitytospendaweekinMarch2016inWashington,D.C.,withdelegatesfromacross

thenation.AllexpensesarepaidbytheWilliamRandolphHearstFoundation.CriteriaandapplicationsareavailableonthePASCwebsiteunderawardsandscholarships,studentscholarships.Eachschoolmaynominateoneoutstandingjuniororseniorstudentleadertobeconsideredforthescholarship.

TobeeligiblefortheSenateYouthscholarship,astudentmustbeahighschooljuniororseniorandmustholdanelectedpositioninstudentcouncil,classgovernment,oraregionalorstateofficerpositioninastatewideorganization.Afterbeingnominatedbythebuildingprincipal,thestudentmustcompleteanapplicationpacketandsubmitittobepostmarkedbyOctober14,2015.

Prudential Spirit of Community AwardsThePrudentialSpiritofCommunityAwardsprogramwill

awardscholarshipstostudentsrecognizedfortheirdedicationandselflesscommitmenttovolunteerism.Eligiblestudentsmustcurrentlybeingrades5–12andmustbeengagedinanactofvolunteerismthathasoccurred,atleastinpart,duringthe12monthspriortotheapplicationdate.Programscouldbedoneinoroutofschool.

What do honorees win?•StudentschosenasLocalHonoreesreceiveaCertificateofAchievementfromtheirschoolsororganizations.Thosewhoqualify(50hoursofserviceforage14andyounger,100hoursforthoseolder)alsoreceivethePresident’sVolunteerServiceAward.

•StateHonoreesreceiveanawardof$1,000,anengravedsilvermedallion,andanall-expense-paidtripwithaparentorguard-iantoWashington,D.C.,fornationalrecognitionevents.

•NationalHonoreesreceiveanadditionalawardof$5,000,an

engravedgoldmedallion,acrystaltrophyfortheirschoolsoror-ganizations,anda$5,000grantfromThePrudentialFoundationforanonprofit,charitableorganizationoftheirchoice.

Informationisavailableatwww.prudential.com/community/spirit.Pleasedonotmissthisopportunitytogiveoutstandingyoungvolunteerstherecognitiontheysorichlydeserve.DeadlineisNovember3,2015.

$416,000 in Horatio Alger Scholarships to Be Awarded to Pennsylvania SeniorsTheHoratioAlgerAssociationforDistinguishedAmericansis

acceptingscholarshipapplicationsfortheClassof2016duenolaterthanOctober25,2015.Pennsylvaniaseniorswillreceive$416,000inscholarshipsin2016inthisprogram.PleasesharethefollowinginformationwithyourGuidanceDepartmentandwithstudentsthatyouknowwhofitthefollowingcriteria:

TheHoratioAlgerAssociationseekstoassiststudentswhohavedemonstratedintegrity,perseveranceinovercomingadversity,strengthofcharacter,financialneed(under$55,000adjustedgrossfamilyincome),agoodacademicrecord,commitmenttopursueacollegeeducation,andadesiretocontributetosociety.

n National Scholars Program:ThreePennsylvaniastudentswillbeselectedtoeachreceivea$22,000scholarshipandwillbeinvitedtotheNationalAwardsprograminWashington,D.C.

n Pennsylvania Scholars Program: FundedbythegenerosityofJosephandJanetNeubauer,50Pennsylvaniaseniorswilleachreceivea$7,000collegescholarship. Scholarship criteria are the sameasforotherHoratioAlgerScholarships.

StudentCounciladvisorsandstudentleaderscanhelppromotethesescholarshipsforseniorsinyourschoolbysharingthisinformationwithguidancecounselors,administrators,andfacultymembers.EveryPennsylvaniahighschoolhasoneormoreseniorswhocouldbenefitbythesescholarships.Helpspreadtheword.Thesescholarshipscanonlybeappliedforonline: www.horatioal-ger.com/scholarships/index.cfmApplicationsavailablebegin-ningAugust1withanOctober25deadline.

President Obama addresses 2013 winners of the U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship during their week in Washington, D.C.

State Honorees in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards meet in Washington, D.C.

http://www.prudential.com/community/spirit

http://www.prudential.com/community/spirit

http://www.horatioalger.com/scholarships/index.cfm

http://www.horatioalger.com/scholarships/index.cfm


Candidates for Middle Level Representatives NeededPASCisseekingtwoteams,eachconsistingofaseventhgradestudentand

his/herStudentCounciladvisor,toserveastheMiddleLevelRepresenta-tivesonthePASCExecutiveBoardfromJanuary1,2016toAugust2,2017.CurrentboardmembersareCadenScottandhisadvisor,Mrs.AndreaAten,fromMountainViewMiddleSchoolandLaylaEngleandheradvisor,Mrs.JodiEllis,fromMillersburgMiddleSchool.

PleasecontactLisaBernetatlbernet@fleetwoodasd.orgwithanyquestionsaboutthepositionortoobtainanapplication.Thejobdescription,applica-tion,andtheoverviewoftheselectionprocesscanalsobefoundatwww.pasc.netonthemainpageorbyclickingontheNewstab.

CompletedapplicationsforthestudentandadvisormustbepostmarkedbyFriday,October22,2015.Allthestudent/advisorteamswillbeinter-viewedattheStateConferenceonNovember13,2015andtwomiddlelevelteamswillbeselectedtoserveonthePASCExecutiveBoard.

Seeking Regional Reps from Districts 6-10-12PASCisseekingschoolswishingtorunforRegionalRepresentativeposi-

tionsforRegionCfromDistrict6,RegionFfromDistrict12,andRegionGfromDistrict10.Thesepositionsareforatwo-yeartermbeginningJanuary1,2016andendingJanuary31,2018.ElectionsforthesepositionswillbeheldduringRegionalCaucusMeetingsattheStateConferenceinHarris-burgonNovember13,2015.

Schoolswishingtoself-nominateshouldcontacttheirrespectiveDistrictDirectorsbyFriday,October22toexpressinterestandshouldprepareafive-minutepresentationforthecaucus.StudentswhoareselectedtoserveasRegionalRepresentativesmustbenamedbytheselectedschoolbyDe-cember1,2015.StudentsmustbeafreshmanorasophomoreinSeptember2015andmustbewillingtomakeatwo-yearcommitmenttoPASC.Pres-enttermscontinueforRepresentativesinRegionsA-B-D-EuntilJanuary2017.Pleasecontactyourdistrictdirectorformoreinformation.

NASC National ConferenceAmazing. Inspiring. Uplifting.By Tyler Raub, PASC President-Elect

WordstrulycannotdojusticetotheunbelievableexperienceIencounteredatthe78thNASCNa-tionalConference.Iwasfortunateenoughtoattendthisconference,heldatRioRanchoHighSchool,rightoutsideofAlbuquerque,NewMexico.AsIhadalreadyattendedanationalconference,IthoughtIknewwhattoexpect.Myexpectationswerefarexceeded.

IneverwouldhaveknownthatwhentheplanetouchedgroundinAlbuquerqueonJune24,mylifewouldforeverbechangedbythetimeIwasbackinPittsburghonJune29.PASCandNASCtogethercreatedoneofthemostunforgettablejourneysofmylife,andIamonlyoneofmanywhocansaythat.

RioRanchoHighSchoolwentallouttoensureeachofthe1,000delegateshadthegreatestandmostenrichingexperiencesofourlives.Thetopspeakersinthenationprovideduswithnewwaystofindourpassion.Differentthoughtsandideaswereexchangedbetweenpeoplefromacrossthecountry.Friendshipsandbondswerecreatedthatwillneverbebroken.Therewasneverafrownonsomeone’sface.Theexcitementandtheatmospherewereelectricforallthreedaysoftheconference.ItwasimpossibleNOTtohaveagoodtime.

Iwasabletoexperienceaphenomenal,fun-filledweekofwhite-waterrafting,hikingintheSandiaMountains,culturalexperiences,meetingnewpeople,andexploringtheworldaroundme.WhileIneverwantedtheadventuretoend,thememorieswillcarryoverwithmeforalifetime.IleftAlbuquerquenotonlyasadifferentleader,butastrongerone.

Order your individual shirts on the PASC website at http://pascapparel.com/product/wounded-warrior-tee/


By Michaela Lynch, PASC State President

Withthe2015StateConferencejustaroundthecorner,Halifaxhassomeimportantremindersregardingtheconfer-ence.TheconferencewillbeheldinthecityofHarrisburgattheHiltonHotelandtheCrownePlazaonNovember12–14,2015.

REGISTRATIONopenedonSeptember3,sodon’tforgettoregister!Theregistra-tionprocessisalittledifferentthanithasbeeninpastyears.Youmustregisterfortheconferenceonourwebsite,pasc2015.org.Additionallytobookyourhotelrooms,youhavetocalltheHilton,askforJasonBurd,andmentionyouareapartofthePASCblockforNovember12,13,and14.Thecostoftheroompernight/perpersonis$134.

PARKING AND FOODalsohavechangesfrompreviousyears.Thereareafewoptionsforparking.Thereareafewparkinggaragesintheareathatcanbeusedifyouaretakingaregular-sizedvehicle.Ifyouaretakingabus,aschoolvan,oranyotherlargevehicle,youwillhavetoparkon

CityIsland.Thereareadditionalfeesforparking.Pleaseplanaheadforparking.

Foodisalsosomethingthatisdifferent.TheHiltonisconnectedtoStrawberrySquare,whichiswhereyouwillbeeatingonThursdayfordinnerandFridayforlunch.Partofyourregistrationcostof$100coversvouchersforthesetwomeals.DinnerwillbeservedatthebanquetonFridaynight.Breakfastisonyourown.SomevendorswillbeopenforbreakfastatStrawberrySquareoryoucanbringyourownbreakfastitems,whichcanbeeateninyourroom.

OTHER REMINDERS.Therearejustafewmorethingsyouneedtokeepinmindasyouregisterfortheconference.ThebanquetanddancethisyearwillbeheldatthePennsylvaniaFarmShowbuilding.Halifaxhasdecidedtomakethedancesemi-formal.Wealsostronglyrecommendyouwearcomfortableshoes.TheFarmShowbuildingisalargebuildingandthereisashortwalkfromthebanquetareatothedancearea,sowesuggestthatyoudo

notwearshoesthatwillmakeitdifficultforyoutowalk.

Ifyouhaveanyfurtherquestionsabouttheconferencepleasecheckoutpasc2015.org.Pleasefilloutaquestionformonthewebsitesosomeoneisabletogetbacktoyou.WelookforwardtoseeingyouinNo-vember!PleaseregisterfortheconferencebyOctober16th!Can’t wait to see you in Harrisburg!

2015 Conference Update It’s Time to Climb

Whetheryourcouncilishostingagreatserviceproject,con-ductingafundraiser,orsponsoringasocialactivity,noonewillparticipateiftheydon’tknowaboutit.Usetheseideasforgettingthewordoutaboutyouractivities.

FIND A UNIQUE ANGLE. Withhomeworktobedone,familyobligations,after-schooljobs,sports,andotheractivities,studentshavemanycompetingdemandsontheirtime—andtheirmoney.Togetthemtobreakoutoftheirnormalroutineandattendyourevent,itneedstocatchtheirattention.Youneedtodeterminewhatmakesyoureventunusualorinterestingandplayupthatangle.Ifyoucan’tfindone,becreativeandmakeoneup!

TRY DIFFERENT APPROACHES.Intoday’smedia-saturatedsociety,studentshavebecomeverygoodattuningoutmanyofthemessagestheyarebombardedwitheachday.Advertisersbelievethatittakesamessageseventimestogetthroughtoaperson,soyou’llwanttotryavarietyofmethodstoattractatten-tion.Tobeeffective,yourpublicitycampaignneedstobeunique,eye-catching,multifaceted,andcreative.Youcan’tjustrelyon

postersandannouncements.Tryaddingmorecreativepublic-itytechniquestothemix—anythingthatwillgetyourmessagenoticed,suchas:•Usetabletentsonlunchandlibrarytables•Makeuseofoldelectioncampaignsignsbypaintingoverthemwithwhitelatexpaintandthencreateyourownsignstopro-moteyourevents.Placethesignsinyardsoroncampus.

•Putstickersoncansinthedrinkmachines(putthemonbeforethecansgetcoldortheywon’tstick)

•Spelloutamessageonthefencearoundtheathleticfield•Createascreensaverandaskthelibrariansandcomputerlabfolksifyoucaninstallitonalltheircomputers

•Makedoorhangerslikehotel“donotdisturb”signsfrombrightlycoloredcardstockandhangthemonclassroomdoorknobs

TWEAK THE TRADITIONAL.Beingcreativewithyourpublic-itydoesn’tmeanyouhavetoabandonthetraditionaltechniquesthathaveservedwellinthepast.Seeifthere’sawayyoucantweakthemtomakethemmoreeffective.

How To… Get the Word Out


How were you involved with PASC, both in high school and beyond? During the end of my sophomore year of high school, one of my teachers approached me about getting involved more deeply in student council; I was a classroom repre-sentative at the time. He encouraged me to run for secre-tary during the following year and I took the risk. Fortu-nately, I won the election and began to be transformed by the position and the council. From that point on, I was highly involved in any and all student-run activities and fell in love with the constant challenge of each new day in student council.

The next year, I was president and began to build a com-mitment to student council work through attending and presenting at district, state, and national conferences. Once the school year was coming to a close, I knew that the passion I had for student leadership would not die and that I needed to apply to be on summer staff at one of the gold workshops. The same summer I was a color group leader at Susquehanna Gold with some of the best. The next summer, I was back in the same role and the follow-ing two summers I was part of another excellent staff at Advanced Gold as a council advisor. I must say, that my fa-vorite summer on staff was this most recent at Advanced Gold, because I was fortunate enough to have the oppor-tunity to find myself teaching workshops on self-esteem and stress management. I intend to be part of the PASC family for many more years and could not thank everyone who has been a part of it.

What have you accomplished since you left high school?Since leaving high school, I have graduated from Eliza-bethtown College in Lancaster County with a degree in secondary mathematics education and a minor in human services. During my undergraduate career, I had the op-portunity to study abroad in Gambia, a small country in West Africa. During my time, I took classes at the only university in the country, taught 120 high school students various levels of mathematics, and engaged deeply with the culture and people of Gambia. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything at this point in my life. It changed how I view the world and what I wish to do with the one

life I have been given. In January, I am embarking on another life-changing adventure in Malaysia. Receiving a Fulbright grant to teach English for ten months, I am extremely grateful for this new chapter of my life.

Did your experience with PASC have an impact on who you are today?PASC has impacts my life every day—some days in very small ways, others in large. I think PASC most helped me to shift my mindset from creating “fun” events in the high school I attended to creating events that help other students understand themselves or meet a need. I also see a number of the skills that were cultivated in PASC-spon-sored events that continue to show through in my engage-ment in and out of schools. Mentoring has also become a huge part of my life, since I first had the opportunity to be a mentee. I have found that I desire to be in one-on-one conversations and work on helping others truly find their purpose.

What would you tell someone who hasn’t yet gotten involved with PASC?Do it! Plain and simple, the friends, experiences, and new perspectives that you will gain will be far better than sit-ting at home watching Netflix.

What was your favorite PASC moment?It is quite challenging to pick a favorite, but I will general-ize. My favorite times in PASC are when you are reunited with someone you met at a previous conference or work-shop. There is an excitement to see people who share the bond of student leadership. I always am very grateful for the conversations that ensue.

Where are they now?

Alumni Profile: Jess Leidy

PASC Alum Jess Leidy is a graduate of Boyertown HS


By Billy Wermuth, Middle Level Rep

Every amazing event starts some-where. But where? How do your ideas go from a thought to a huge activity overflowing with kids? That’s where project implementation comes in. As Dictionary.com states, project imple-mentation is the phase where visions and plans become reality. This is the logical conclusion, after evaluating, deciding, visioning, planning, apply-ing for funds, and finding the financial resources of a project.

When you have an idea you are reaching the phase of inception. This is when you take in any issues you, your school, or your community face. The first step to hosting an event begins with addressing what you need and why. Dances and fundraisers do not emerge from thin air, but are created by students who see a need for money or for more involvement within their schools. Inception is extremely impor-tant in targeting a specific audience and addressing any problems that need more attention.

Once your idea has been established, elaborating is the next phase of the Project Implementation process. Here you take what you incepted and establish the activity or event that will help to fix the problem noticed. This is when you begin brainstorming ideas that would serve as the solution. The basis behind your activity is thought out in this step.

Planning serves as one of the impor-tant steps to the process. Here the “meat and potatoes” are established. This will be the dates and times and the theme of the event. In this stage you are nailing down all the fine details and making sure everything is written down and organized. Consider splitting into committees and accomplishing dif-ferent tasks that will move this process along faster and enable all areas to be covered.

After thinking of the idea and planning, it’s time to execute the activity. The execution stage is the actual event. At-tending and having fun are extremely important. Enjoy the activity and take

in what you just worked so hard to create. Execution also involves getting students and staff to attend—the more people that attend the bet-ter. Execution serves as an essential part because it ties in everything you and your council did and it puts it all together.

The last stage to Project Implementa-tion is feedback. This is essential in understanding how your event or activity went. People in student council may perceive an activity one way, but students may think something differ-ent. Talking amongst your friends or creating an evaluation two great ways of receiving feedback.

With Project Implementation students are able to follow a process when creating big and outstanding events. These described steps are essential in planning and with this no event is too big. Project Implementation serves as a format for students to do the best they can when it comes to planning an amazing event.

Project ImplementationFollow These Steps to Organize an Amazing Event

VeteransDayisheldeachyearonNovember11,anditprovidesanopportunitytohonorAmerica’sveteransfortheirpatriotism,loveofcountry,andwillingnesstoserveandsacrificeforthecom-mongood.It’sagreatopportunityforstudentleaderstoorganizetheirpeerstosay“thankyou”tothepeopleintheircommunitieswhohaveservedinthemilitary.

ManyschoolsorganizeVeteransDayassemblieswheretheyinvitealocalveteransgrouptosendanhonorguardtopresenttheflagorhaveaspeakeraddressstudents.Ifyou’reinterestedinholdingthistypeofevent,visittheU.S.DepartmentofVeter-ansAffairswebsite(www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/docs/2012_veter-ans_day_teacher_guide.pdf)forateacher’sguideandotherusefulresources.

InadditiontothetraditionalVeteransDayassembly,studentscanshowtheirappreciationtomembersofthemilitarybyorga-nizinganynumberofserviceactivities.Someideasforservice

projectsinclude:

uCollect old, worn-out flagsthathaveembroideredstarsonthemandsendtheflagstotheStarsforOurTroopsprogram.ThestarswillbeturnedintomementosforAmericansoldierstoletthemknowtheyarenotforgotten.Findoutmoreathttp://www.gettysburgflag.com/starsfortroops-americanflags.php

uCreate a quilt of valor tobesenttoacombatservicememberorawoundedveteranconvalescinginyourcommunity.VisittheQuiltsofValorFoundationathttp://www.qovf.org/tofindouthowtocreateaquilttodonateortodonatemoneyorfabric.

uConduct a book or DVD drive to send to deployed soldiers andveteransinVAhospitals.ChecktheBooksforSoldiersweb-site at http://booksforsoldiers.com/fordetails.

uDonate blood for troops in combat.VisittheArmedServicesBloodProgramathttp://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/tofindouthow.

Honoring Those Who Serve


By Lyn Fiscus

MorethanonehundredyearsafterthefirstHomecomingwascelebratedonthecollegelevel,Homecomingiswell-entrenchedasatraditionalfallactivityatmosthighschoolsintheUnitedStates.Overtheyears,Homecomingspiritweekinsecondaryschoolsseemstohavelosttheprimaryfocusofinvitingalumnibacktovisittheiralmamaterandtypicallyhasbecomeanextravaganzathatinvolvesmanypeopleinavarietyofactivitiesdesignedtoraiseschoolspirit.Itoftenincludesclasscompetitions,spiritdress-updays,apeprally,abonfire,electionorselectionof“royalty,”aparade,adance,andotheractivities—allofwhichcanbeover-whelmingforstudentcouncilsresponsiblefororganizingitall.IfyourcouncilorganizesHomecoming,followthesetipstomaketheprocessgosmoothly.

START PLANNING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.ThemeselectionandbasicoutlineofactivitiesfortheweekcanallbedoneinMayorJuneforthefollowingfall,andtheo-reticallystudentleaderscanbeginplan-ningoverthesummer.Attheveryleast,getting an early start with the basics willenableyourgrouptobeginseriousplanning right away at the beginning of theschoolyear.

SET GOALS FOR THE WEEK. As withotheractivities,it’sagoodideatobeginbydeterminingwhatyouhopetoaccomplishwithallthehubbubofHomecoming.Areyoutryingtobuildclassunity?Showschoolpride?Reconnectwithalumni?Establishstrongertieswiththecommunity?Theactivitiesyouselecttocarryoutwillbeinfluencedbythegoalsyouhaveinmind.

CONNECT WITH OTHER GROUPS INVOLVED.Othergroupsoncampusalsohaveimportantrolestoplayinspiritweek.Forexample,themarchingbandwilllikelyhaveahalftimeshowandthepepbandwillplayaroleinyourpeprallyandbonfire.Thecheerleadersandotherspiritleaderswillhaveroutinestoshowoff.Coachesandathleteswillbegettingreadyfortheirbiggames.Variousothergroupsmightbeplanningactivitiesandfundraisers.Toavoidconflictsbetweenplansandtofacilitatecommunication,establishasteeringcommitteetoguidealltheeventsandcreateamasterplan.Keepcommunicationopenandbesureallgroupsinvolvedknowwhatisplanned.

SELECT A THEME.ThetricktoselectingaHomecomingthemeistopicksomethingthatoffersawidevarietyofchoicesindevel-opingspiritdays,activities,paradefloats,anddancedecorations.Agoodthemeprovidesaunifyingelementthattiesalltheactivi-tiesoftheweektogether.Whendecidingonatheme,keepthesethingsinmind:•Willtherebeenoughvariationsothateachclasswillbeabletodevelopdistinctelements?Forexample,“TheGamesSeahawks

Play”providesampleopportunitytodevelopsub-themessuchasboardgames,cardgames,sportsgames,TVgames,andsoforth.

•Willyoubeabletodevelopnoontimeandpeprallyactivitiestocorrespondwiththetheme?[[

•Whatkindofspiritdress-updayswillbeinspiredbythetheme?•Willthethemeworkwithdancedecorations?Whatcolorswillbepredominant?

•Canyouthinkofacatchyslogantouse?Forexample,insteadofjustthetopic“cartoons”useaphraselike“Mustangs‘ToonItUp.”

•Willthethemepresentyourschoolinapositivemannertothecommunity?

ESTABLISH COMMITTEES.Followingtheadagethat“peoplesupportthatwhichtheycreate,”themorepeoplewhoareinvolvedinplanningHomecomingactivities,thebettertheparticipationinyoureventswillbe.Insteadofrelyingonafewkeypeopletodoallthework,engageasmanypeopleaspossibleincommitteesand

subcommittees.

SET A BUDGET.WithoutaguidelineofhowmuchmoneyisavailableforHomecomingactivities,it’seasytogooverboardonexpenses.Asastartingpoint,lookatprevi-ousHomecomingexpensesandincome,ifpossible.Calculatehowmuchrevenueyouhavetoworkwithfromallsources—danceticketsales,concessions,spiritfundraisers,etc.—andestimatealltheareasin

whichyourgroupwillhaveexpenses.Iftheexpensesexceedyourrevenueprojections,youcaneitherfigureouthowtotrimcostssotheyareinlinewithrevenue,orfigureouthowtoincreasetherev-enuebydoingthingslikeraisingtheticketprice,seekingdonationsforneededsupplies,orsellingadsforaprogram.Oncetheoverallbudgetisdetermined,besuretoleteachcommitteeknowwhatitspartofthebudgetentails.

LET STUDENT LEADERS LEAD.It’softeneasierjusttotellstu-dentswhatneedstobedoneordoityourself,butthatapproachoftenleadstoadviserburnout—onepersonjustcan’thandleeverythinginvolvedinplanningHomecoming.Ifyoutaketheextratimetoteachstudentleadershowtobreakaprojectdownintothestepsthatneedtobeaccomplished,pullalltheelementstogethertomaketheprojecthappen,andholdthemresponsibleforcarryingouttheirplans,youwillendupwithstudentleaderswhocanapplythoseskillsinmanysituationsafterHomecomingisover.Usedasanon-the-jobtrainingopportunity,Homecom-ingcanmakeyourjobastheadviserabiteasierfortherestoftheyearasstudentleaderslookfornewopportunitiestopracticetheirleadershipskills.

Lyn Fiscus is a freelance education writer and student activity adviser in Reston, VA.

Seven Steps to a Successful Homecoming

PNQ September 2015

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Transcript of PNQ September 2015