Convention of student councils ends

As Cape Central's student government members, advisers, faculty members and a group of burly student workers known as the "Roustabouts" were briskly cleaning up Saturday, Jessica Layman had a satisfied look on her face.

The Missouri Association of Student Councils convention was over, and, according to students and faculty, it was a huge success.

As a co-chairperson of the convention, Layman was instrumental in organizing the event.

"It went smooth," Layman said. "Our whole Senate came together, and I couldn't have done it without all their help. And the Roustabouts were great. They did everything we asked. To motivate 900 kids is just amazing."

The convention, which began Thursday, came to conclusion just before noon. It brought over 1,000 students and advisors from 194 schools.

Saturday, students listened to a presentation by Penny Williams about the Special Olympics and heard a message by keynote speaker Carol Reimann, a retired Cape Central first-grade teacher who won the state's teacher of the year award in 1998. She spoke to students of dreaming big.

On Friday, numerous schools performed skits as part of election campaigns for MASC offices. The winners were announced Saturday, including Liberty High School, which was voted president. That means Liberty will be the host of next year's convention.

Joe Osmack, of Lindbergh High School in St. Louis, said the highlight of his trip was performing on stage Friday.

But that's not all he'll remember.

"The hosts and the families were just amazing," he said. "Everyone here is outgoing and you feel like you've known them for years."

bmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127