Courtesy PhotoAthens High School juniors Mary Frances Moore and Ashlyn Roberts participated in the Southern Association of Student Councils in Orlando last October where the high school was elected vice president of the organization. Members of the Athens City School Board recognized the pair's accomplishments at a May 17 meeting.

The Athens City School board recently recognized Athens High School juniors Mary Frances Moore and Ashlyn Roberts for serving as representatives of the high school at the Southern Association of Student Councils in Orlando, Florida.

Schools from 15 states in the Southeast participate in the SASC conference, which draws more than 1,000 students each year. While there, student leaders and their adult advisors spend three days attending workshops, networking, sharing ideas, inspiring one another and sharpening their leadership skills.

The conference is also where new officers are elected.

For over 25 years, Athens High School has been participating in SASC, holding the office of president, secretary and parliamentarian. After running a successful campaign at the conference, AHS was elected as vice president of the government association for the first time in the school’s history. Their slogan for the 2018-2019 campaign was, “Athens is out of this world.”

“They had to get other students to vote for them by giving speeches, performing a skit, running a campaign table and passing out candy with our school’s name attached,” Karen Clem, a math teacher and longtime student council sponsor at AHS, said. “It took a lot of commitment from our students, who spent about 10 hours each to prepare for the election.”

As vice president of the organization, AHS student council members are responsible for planning the 30 different workshops that will be offered at SASC’s 2018 conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

“This is a completely student led-effort,” Clem said. “They come up with the workshop themes, and prepare and present the material. I’m just there to guide them and give advice.”

The 20 AHS student council members who plan to attend the fall conference are already busy at work putting together workshops intended to inspire other students to serve their community, stir up school spirit, sharpen leadership skills and learn how to run a successful school fundraiser.

“More than anything, the kids who attend the southern conference (SASC) take back skills and ideas that make their own school a better place,” Clem said. “It’s about bringing change where there needs to be change and building morale among students.”

AHS representative and student body president Moore, who first attended SASC in her sophomore year, said she didn’t get involved in student government because she has political aspirations. Instead the rising senior said she participates in SASC because it allows her to do the two things she is most passionate about — serve others and give back to the community.

She also believes her association with SASC will give her an edge on college applications and open up scholarship opportunities.

“Being part of the southern conference is unique, not everybody will have that on their college application,” she said. “That’s not why I’m part of SASC, but I hope it might bring me more scholarships.”

Moore hopes to study interior design at Auburn after she graduates in 2019.

Roberts will serve alongside Moore as vice president of Athens High School’s student body this fall.