Rockdale Magnet School ‘Magnificent Seven’ named National Distinguished Student Leaders

Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST) seniors and student council leaders Bridgette Benefield, Madeline Burkey, Rachel Hill, Jestini Jordan, Jessica Kamuche, Asiah McWhorter, and Sydney Turner have successfully completed the National Student Council Student Leaders Program, earning national recognition as National Student Council Distinguished Student Leaders. Fewer than 900 students nation-wide achieved this highly sought-after honor.

Sponsored by the National Student Council (NatStuCo) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Student Leaders Program serves to:

• Give schools a tool to enhance and improve their efforts to develop student leaders.
• Challenge students to work for recognition based on their abilities and knowledge in the 
area of leadership.
• Create an award that provides authentic assessment and recognition based on a 
student’s demonstration of skills and knowledge.
• Support the standards and goals of the National Council of Excellence Awards and missions of National Student Council and NASSP.

“We are so proud of these leaders and the legacy of leadership their services have built at the school over the past four years,” says RMSST Director Amanda Baskett.

RMSST Student Council Advisor Susan Powell says, “The RMSST Student Council has seven members who have served since their freshman year. These seven ladies have grown into distinguished leaders who are embedded into every aspect of our school. Every day, these brilliant, accomplished ladies are on the move. They brainstorm, organize, and host Student Council events that serve our student body, parent organization, The Magnet Fund, faculty, staff, and community. It is a 24/7, year-round job that is met with gratitude by everyone in the Magnet family and community.”

These seven student leaders – dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” – have been recognized with eight Southern Association of Student Councils (SASC) Outstanding Project Awards, three National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Council of Excellence Awards, 11 NASC submissions to the project data base, and two publications in Advise Magazine. They have also presented four workshops at SASC, becoming teachers of leadership.

They are all National Student Council members and have completed the requirements to become certified student leaders. The rigorous application process involves creating a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates completion of activities including modules on leadership, goal setting, team building, decision making, problem solving, group dynamics, time management and personal organization, meeting management, communication, evaluation, service, civic engagement and personal leadership philosophy. Applicants must also participate in an assessment meeting with their advisers and principals to verify completion of the requirements. Student portfolios and applications are then forwarded to NatStuCo for a final review before they are recognized as Distinguished Student Leaders.

For more information on the National Student Council Distinguished Student Leaders Program, visit www.NatStuCo.org

For more information about Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, visit magnet.rockdaleschools.org.