By Mr. Eric White, Student Activities Coordinator, Student Council Advisor, Highlands Intermediate School
For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, the Highlands Intermediate Student Council has been recognized as a 2026 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
The 2025–2026 school year exceeded expectations because of the fun and memorable activities the Student Council provided for the nearly 900 students at Highlands Intermediate! The council was able to accomplish this by implementing the “Livin’ the Dream!!” theme to the maximum in all student activities and school events. Starting with the amazing Welcome Back Assembly 2025, the momentum continued through dozens of other themed events like Highlands Haunted House 13: “It!” and the recent Valentine’s Dance 2026, “Love In The Multiverse.” The Highlands Intermediate Student Council has now received this prestigious award for 12 consecutive years. This year’s Student Council is the biggest in its history standing at 41members!
“The student council at Highlands Intermediate just pulled off something extraordinary,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Their student-driven change has earned them national recognition as a National Gold Council of Excellence, proving that when young people are given the chance to lead, they turn their vision into real-world impact.”
“In my 19 years as Student Activities Coordinator at Highlands Intermediate, I find myself asking every year: ‘How can we possibly top this?’ Yet, somehow, this council didn’t just meet the bar—they cleared it by leaps and bounds,” said Mr. White, Highlands Intermediate Student Activities Coordinator. “This has been, without a doubt, the most incredible school year yet. I am so proud of this group’s tireless work ethic and their dedication to making our program the absolute best it could be for our students and community.”
A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Gold Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, and a democratic election process, the councils must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community.
Photo scourtesy of Highlands Intermediate School
