RESTON, VA – For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, North Penn High School has been awarded a 2012 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC).  Nearly 180 high school councils were named National Councils of Excellence.  Of those, North Penn is one of only 163 high school councils nationwide to receive the highly esteemed honor of being named a National Gold Council of Excellence.

To meet the requirements for the NASC National Councils of Excellence Award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria.  Those councils named to the Gold level have successfully met a greater number of the criterion.  In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, schools that qualify for the award demonstrate such things as leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in their state and national student council associations.

“Receiving an NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the highest dedication on the part of North Penn High School to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” says Jeff Sherrill, associate director of NASC.  “NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.”

“North Penn High School is pleased and honored to be one of the recipients of the prestigious 2012 National Gold Council of Excellence award,” says North Penn High School Principal Burton T. Hynes.  “Our student government has a long history of striving for excellence in all that they do to serve our students and the North Penn community.  For many years, we have been blessed with visionary advisors who have inspired our students to challenge themselves and their peers to fulfill our district motto:  Dream Big; Achieve Greatness.  The National Gold Council of Excellence award validates and honors the accomplishments of North Penn High School’s Student Government Association.”

The National Association of Student Councils (NASC) promotes and provides leadership development opportunities to prepare and empower students to serve their schools and communities.  NASC is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).  The NASSP – the preeminent organization and national voice for middle level and high school leaders – also sponsors the National Honor Society (NHS) and the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), which recognizes outstanding middle level and high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  For information on NASC, visit www.nasc.us.