WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Liberty Middle School Student Council attended the 92nd New Jersey Association of Student Councils Winter Convention at the College of New Jersey on Jan. 10, garnering Honor School, Top Ten Projects and Middle Level Student Leader of the Year awards.
Liberty was named an Honor School for the first time, an award that recognizes accumulated consecutive years that schools follow criteria recognized by NJASC as being important for developing and maintaining a successful Student Council program.
The Liberty Student Council Family Day Project was named one of the Top Ten Projects. The service project was held on Family Day, a national initiative begun in 2001 by the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. The Sept. 25 event reminds parents to make time to share a meal, play a game and spend time talking with their children because research shows that children who regularly interact with their families are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.
To offer an incentive for families to participate, the Student Council contacted restaurants all over town asking them to offer families a Family Day discount. The students created and distributed a discount card to give to students and staff. Superintendent Jeff Rutzky was so taken with the project that he asked the Student Council to include all 7,000 students in the school district and he called for a “no homework” day districtwide so families would have time to spend together.
Eighth-grade Student Council President Brianna Dannemiller received the Middle Level Student Leader of the Year Award for outstanding leadership and service to her school and community.
Brianna has served on the Student Council for the past two years. She is active in Art Club, Newspaper Club, Debate Team and serves as a Peer Helper.
In the words of a fellow Student Council member, “Brianna is a natural leader who is optimistic, bubbly, friendly and always has a smile on her face. She is not only able to talk the talk, but also to walk the walk. She is able to connect with her peers by using her passion to create an inclusive culture that resonates through the halls.”
Liberty Middle School science teacher and Student Council adviser Sue Zaccaro said, “Brianna is a dedicated student, an effective leader, an active participant in student life and most importantly a kind and trustworthy young lady. She has a sense of clarity unusual for a middle school student, always knowing what needs to be accomplished and working alongside council members to ensure that it is. She has the ability to adjust her leadership style, displays a well-rounded personality and is a positive role model for others to emulate.”
The Liberty Student Council is in the process of applying for the Standards of Excellence award, the most difficult and prestigious award presented by NJASC. Schools are only eligible to receive the award every five years. A rigorous self-evaluation by the Student Council and a site visit will be conducted for Liberty to be considered for the Standards of Excellence Award.
Photos Courtesy of WOSD
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