The weekend of November 14, over one thousand student council members from throughout Pennsylvania gathered at the high school for the Pennsylvania Student Council State Conference.

The conference consisted of three General Sessions in the New Auditorium, along with a multitude of workshops.

The General Sessions included award ceremonies, recognizing the effort of Student Council teacher leaders. Each Session featured a keynote speaker. Monte Selby, singer-songwriter-performer, spoke at the first session. Friday’s keynote speaker was Scott Backovich, motivational youth speaker. Judson Laipply, youth speaker, spoke at the final general session, as well as performed his famous Evolution of Dance.

Student Council Advisor Mr. Jeffrey Kusniez said the conference went very well.

“I could not be prouder of the students that put the conference together,” he said. “They worked for two years and all their hard work and dedication showed in the final project.”

Others who spoke included Jim Finnemeyer, PASC Executive Director; Kathy Coll, Assistant Executive Director; Danielle Croner, PASC State President; along with General Session Co-Chairs Emilee Semple and CJ Hartung, and Conference Co-Chairs Katie Waverka and Emma Howald.

The speakers discussed their own personal experiences and combined comedy with inspiration, enforcing the importance of perseverance, dedication, and leadership.

Twenty-five students served on the steering committee, and another 75 students came out and helped over the three days of the conference, Mr. Kusniez said.

“I, personally, would like to thank all the volunteers that came out and helped during the conference,” he said. “Thanks also needs to go out to all of the teachers and staff who helped as committee advisors or in some other capacity.  Finally, I am very proud of our students, our teachers and staff, our school, and our community.  They put on an amazing conference and we should all be proud of them.”

At the end of the Conference, it was announced that Altoona Area Senior High School would host next year’s State Conference.