AWSP Blog

The 2020 AWSL Virtual Fall Conference was a smashing success with over 5,000 attendees. Yes, we can celebrate the number of participants, but the success of this conference lies in who was able to attend. With the need to switch to a virtual format, we invited and encouraged schools to bring as many students as they wanted. Focusing on equity, becoming while doing, and the belief that all students can lead, we hoped that students who had never attended a conference of any kind, especially a 'leadership' conference who could learn, grow, connect, and see the leadership abilities within them.

AWSL is constantly updating lists of resources and ideas for schools who are searching. Check out AWSLeaders.org/2020Resources for daily updates on senior activities and graduation ideas.

This blog’s title comes from a recent National Geographic article describing the magazine’s investigation into its historical arc-of-reporting on people of color in the U.S. and abroad. The patience and time dedicated by the editor-in-chief to curate and dissect how the magazine treated issues of race is a helpful model for school systems. In order to serve our students and facilitate honest and open dialogue, we too must examine and reconcile with our own long-standing cultural narratives and how certain students are adversely impacted by the educational systems we lead.

Student leaders are key players in a school's mission to create a culture, close the gap, ensure safety and engage the community. Guided by Washington principals for more than 60 years, the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) has provided the opportunity for student leadership training through summer camps. AWSL camps are held in three locations. Leadership camps for high school and middle level students are held at both of the two learning centers sponsored by the Association of Washington School Principals: Chewelah Peak and Cispus. CheerLeadership Camps are held at Central Washington University.

Welcome to another episode of AWSP News, where we discuss the new legislative session and the Tobacco 21 initiative, Vicki Puckett as the NASSP Quarterly Advocate, two amazing students who won $10,000 US SSSPenate Youth Scholarships, Evergreen Public School's "starting small" video featuring AWSL's James Layman, Central Valley High School's powerful Mental Health Awareness Day, our Future School Leaders Day and Future Educators Month, Rich Knuth Distinguished Mentor Award winner Heather Renner, the latest issue of Washington Principal and success of the Lopez Island Farm Education program video, the nomination window for the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award, and Summer Conference registration.