Presentation on patriotism concludes student council convention

A presentation on patriotism was part of the last day's activities for the Missouri Association of Student Councils' state convention at Central High School on Saturday.

The students presentation included immigrant struggles, how public school teachers were a symbol of America's open arms, the importance of making the world a safe place for diversity, the tragedies of 9-11 and natural disasters and how the country healed through patriotism. The opportunity and obligation that comes with the right to vote concluded the presentation.

Special Olympics southeast area director Penny Williams, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization and the athletes for selection as the Missouri Association of Student Councils' charity of choice, accepting a $1,000 donation from Central High School.

Williams also introduced the Southeast Missouri athlete of the year, Scott Wright of Cape Girardeau; the 2005 recipient of the family of the year, Eric Sanders of Cape Girardeau; inductee into the Missouri Hall of Fame Greg Sweeney of Sikeston, Mo.; and 2000 athlete of the year Daniel Fultz of Cape Girardeau.

She thanked donors for improving the quality of the athletes' lives and said 1,200 athletes in the Southeast area compete in nine sports year-round because of their support.

Wright, a 1999 Central graduate has competed in Special Olympics since his graduation. "The support makes me feel good," he said of Central High School and the Missouri Association of Student Councils.

He and the other athletes will compete next weekend in a state basketball tournament at Blue Springs.

Central principal Dr. Mike Cowan bid farewell to parents, students and advisers with hugs and wishes for safe travel as they departed the gymnasium. He said the convention was a superb experience other than the weather and that because Central sponsored the convention for the fourth time it was an honor to the youths and advisers. "I think it's truly a distinction."

In the 58 years the convention has been held, no other school has been the host that often.

"Our county has been so supportive in housing students; parents have been on campus for the entire convention scrubbing floors, emptying garbage. It's a distinctive honor for the whole school," Cowan said.

Central sophomore president Olivia Jenkins said the hundreds of students exchanging ideas about fund-raising was an asset.

Central has just committed to two new fund-raisers: dodgeball tournaments and taking pledges for a "polar bear plunge," or diving into a lake in the winter.

More impressive than the fund-raising ideas, Olivia said, was the cohesion between student councils all over the state. Although Jenkins was still pumped by Friday's motivational speaker, Josh Shipp, all the people she met over the three-day event helped her develop new ways of interacting with people and sharing ideas.

"I don't want it to end," she said.

Recognitions included 96 honor council awards, eight scholarships and two adviser of the year awards. One student council adviser, Kathy Wright, was noted for her retirement as an adviser.

cpagano@semissourian.com

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