Nearly 270 High School Leaders Spend Week at Northwestern for Student Council Workshop

July 14, 2022

Students attending the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils BASIC leadership workshop at Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Alva this week participate in many breakout sessions to increase their leadership skills.

Nearly 270 high school students from across the state of Oklahoma have spent the last six days on the campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Alva at the annual Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) BASIC leadership workshop.

For one week in June and one week in July for the past 13 years in Alva, high school sophomores, juniors and seniors seeking leadership skills spend their time in leadership training.

Students work diligently on a project at the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils BASIC leadership workshop as they come together in Percefull Fieldhouse on the campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Alva after having smaller breakout sessions throughout the day.

Any high school student can attend this camp to build leadership skills if their high school is a member of OASC.

Students participate in breakout sessions that include leadership styles and traits, leadership activities, skills for success, team building, school spirit, etiquette and more.

During the workshop, students are divided into 12 councils where they must come up with a school name, mascot, colors and a school song and chant. Students in each council also are given real-life problems to solve and then act out their resolutions using skits.

Junior Counselors, members of OASC who have graduated high school, return to the camp to serve as helpers and are assigned to each of the 12 councils.

Students are using various buildings around campus and stay in university housing along with the directors: Karen Koehn of Northwest Technology Center in Alva, workshop director for junior counselors and state officers; Denise Tomlinson of Bixby High School, director of facilities; Melinda Parks of Westmoore High School, director of curriculum and adult staff; and Shawn Freeman of Ada High School, director of registration.

“This is the 13th summer we have been hosted by NWOSU and the community of Alva, and the success of the workshop comes from the environment in which it is held as well as from the support of the entire university staff and the advisers from across the state that dedicate a week of their summer to educate and lead our Oklahoma youth,” said Koehn, who has worked with OASC for the last 33 years.

"I come away a better leader after spending time with the staff and delegates. The delegates reinstate my belief in our youth as well as energize me to be a better person."

-NW-