Student leaders honored at Grand Island Board of Education meeting

Story and photo by Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

At its March 23 meeting, the Grand Island Central School System Board of Education honored the officers of the high school’s student council, as well as the council’s faculty advisers. In addition, the board honored senior Charlotte Tower, who was awarded the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Scholarship. The LEAD conference (Leadership Experience and Development) was held from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Washington, D.C.

According to faculty adviser MaryLis Rustowicz, a social studies teacher at the high school, the conference was a “national leadership event that brought together over 2,000 student leaders from across the country. Throughout the weekend, students participated in engaging workshops, collaborated with peers from diverse schools, and learned from nationally recognized speakers focused on leadership, service and amplifying student voice.

“Our officers returned energized and inspired, bringing back new ideas and practical strategies to strengthen our school community, enhance student engagement and continue building a positive and inclusive school culture,” she said.

Rustowicz was one of three advisers – alongside English teacher Eileen Briceland and special education teacher Andrew Hall – who traveled to the event with 13 students.

“I wanted to start by congratulating Charlotte Tower,” Briceland said. “You were selected as a recipient for the prestigious $1,500 National Association of Student Councils scholarship. It’s no shock that you won this award for your community service, for your voice, for being present for all, and for your work ethic. You’re truly not just an academic. You’re a student athlete. You represent all voices. We see you. Congratulations.”

Rustowicz added, “This highly competitive national award highlights her commitment to making a difference and exemplifies the core values of student leadership.”

Briceland said, “We are incredibly proud of all of our student council officers for representing our school with integrity and enthusiasm, and we celebrate Charlotte for this well-deserved recognition.”

Rustowicz said, “One thing that really stuck out to us: Everything about the conference was unbelievable, but we also had five students present. We had Emma Redfern, Chris Sobrino and Mia McGowan. They presented on homecoming. It was the entire week and that was the topic, and Emma can confirm with me that someone reached out to us about the passing the torch tradition. It was really cool. … That just shows the connecting that happens there. Also, we had Miranda Page and Audrey Stockinger and they presented on ‘Clash of the Vikings.’ Watching those five students present … I’m not a mom, but I felt like a proud mom at that moment.”

Emma, a junior, said of the experience, “I think it was really cool to present, but I also loved hearing (keynote speaker) Laurie Hernandez speak at the conference. It was cool to listen to her perspective on everything because you only see her as a gymnast. You don’t see how she deals with everything. The way that she plans everything can also help us plan our events and not get as worked up with everything we have on our plates at times.”

Miranda, a senior, said, “I think the best part of the conference was presenting in front of such a good group of people who really wanted to be involved.”

Students also talked about making connections with people from all over the country, the sessions in the breakout rooms and the energy level at the conference.

Senior Adrianna Marinucci said, “My favorite part was seeing how engaged everyone else was and seeing what activities they do at their schools. It really encouraged us to keep going.”

Cleopatra Basiliko, also a senior, said, “The most impactful part for me was the breakout rooms. It was very interesting to see how other schools and other students our age handle the same situations and how different student councils were able to have all of their events … just the different ways they planned them and executed them.”

“I really enjoyed meeting a bunch of people from other states, and I had fun at the breakout sessions that I went to,” said junior Nellie Maziarz.

Senior Mya Brandon said, “My favorite part was definitely the breakout rooms because we got to talk to people from all over New York. It was great seeing how we could all get along.

Christopher, a sophomore, said, “I really do think that the conference opened my horizons and everyone else’s here, and to what we can try out here, and I really do think that it inspired to want us try new things.”

Mia, a sophomore, said, “I think my favorite part of the conference was definitely getting everyone involved.”

“It was amazing,” Briceland said. “There was a lot of history in D.C. and a lot of memories made.”

Nikolas Korte, Andrew Kozlowski and Dominic Nucci. (Photo courtesy of MaryLis Rustowicz)