Local student first to be designated as a nationally certified student leader

Weston Moore, a rising senior at Pace High School in Pace, Florida has completed the requirements to be designated as a Certified Student Leader (CSL) by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). She is the first student in the nation to receive the recognition, which is expected to become a highly sought-after honor by students across the country. The Certified Student Leader program was started by the National Association of Student Councils to:

• Give schools a tool to enhance and improve their efforts to develop student leaders.

• Challenge students to work for recognition that is based on their abilities and knowledge in the area of leadership.

• Create an award that provides authentic assessment and recognition based on a student’s demonstration of skills and knowledge.

• Support the standards and goals of the National Council of Excellence Awards and missions of NASC and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Moore, who served as student body president in 2007 and whose school is an NASC member, completed a list of tasks and requirements in order to be designated a Certified Student Leader. The rigorous application process involves the creation of a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates completion of a number of activities including modules on leadership, goal setting, team building, decision making, problem solving, group dynamics, time management and personal organization, meeting management, communication, evaluation, service, civic engagement and personal leadership philosophy. Applicants also have to obtain letters of recommendation from their advisers and principals verifying that they have completed the requirements. Each portfolio is then assessed by NASC staff to determine whether the criterion has been successfully met in order for a student to be designated a Certified Student Leader.

Moore was given special recognition for her achievement in a surprise announcement at the NASC annual conference on June 26th in Ft. Worth, Texas. She states of the honor, “This is such a great surprise. It took a lot of work to complete the application process, but it was really worth it. I was able to reflect on what I’ve learned as a member of my school’s student council and now I’ll be an even more effective student leader when school starts again for my senior year. I’m sure I’ll also be able to use what I’ve learned in college and beyond.” NASC expects to announce several more Certified Student Leaders in the coming weeks.

For more information on the Certified Student Leader program, visit www.nasc.us.