National Awards Go to Student Councils at Putnam City High, Putnam City North

For exemplary records of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community, both Putnam City North High School and Putnam City High School have received 2008 Gold Council of Excellence Awards by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). Putnam City North and Putnam City High are two of only 98 schools nationwide to be named a Gold Council of Excellence Award winner.

It’s the second year in a row for each of the schools to receive the Gold Council of Excellence Award.

"It is very exciting to be honored for this award for the second straight year because the qualifications for this award are difficult to meet. This special award will motivate us to continue the student council's excellence here at Putnam City to better our school, community and state with our positive influence,” says Chinh Doan, Putnam City High student council president.

Students at Putnam City North are just as pleased.

"We’re honored to receive this award for the second year in a row and are working hard to create bigger and better events for the years to come. This award means a lot to us, and we want to live up to its expectations,” says Kelsey Hanebaum, Putnam City North’s student council president.

To meet the requirements for the award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria. 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.