CENTRAL STUDENT COUNCIL TO HOST STATE CONVENTION

Cape Girardeau Central High School plays host to the state Student Council convention next month.

About 1,000 high school students and 200 faculty sponsors are expected to attend the event March 12-14.

On Monday, a school holiday, students gathered to fill goody bags, make posters and work out details for the convention.

Roy Roper, president of the Student Council, explained that the Central Student Council is hosting the event after the school was elected president last spring at the state convention.

Students presented a skit to win that honor. "It was like a campaign presentation; we talked about all the great things about our school," he said.

The school hosted the state convention in 1956 and in 1982.

Bridgid Stone is chairman of this year's convention. She explained that the program includes presentations by motivational speakers, workshops and an idea exchange. A banquet and dance is planned Friday night at the Show Me Center.

On Friday night, schools will present skits and the new state president school will be selected.

The speakers and other events are paid for through fees generated by the state association.

In addition to having a good time, Student Council sponsor and CHS teacher Kathy Wright said, "Planning an event like this forces them to get organized and to delegate responsibility.

"It's a challenge," she said. "First they had to get up in front of 1,200 people and perform a skit and be the best one."

Now the students are learning to work together as they finish up details for the convention.

Roper said, "It's kind of cliche, but we are tomorrow's leaders."

Through the planning process, he said, "I've learned a lot about being accountable, and we've learned a lot about each other also."

"It's made me a lot more responsible," said Stone. "I know I've grown up a lot in the last few months. This is a big job."

Wright said, "The community has been very supportive."

Students have collected items from local businesses to give the visiting students. A group of young leaders at Southeast Missouri State University are helping the high school students plan this conference.

"Things are really going very smoothly," Wright said, "except for the housing."

While students have found housing for over 700 students, another 350 students still need a place to stay.

Serving as a host includes providing a space for students to sleep Thursday and Friday nights, transportation to and from the school and breakfast. For more information, call 335-8228.