Walking up to Lebanon High School, the group of FHN students are greeted with cheers, high fives and lots of candy. For the first time in FHN StuCo history, students attended the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention.

At this convention, students in MASC districts from across the state meet to share ideas, plan for the future and grow as leaders. The convention began Thursday, March 8 and went until Saturday, March 10.

“At StuCo State, I’ve learned different things that we can do to bring to the school,” sophomore Jayla Bryant said. “I’ve made new friends and discovered things that would make our school better. I’ve learned most about how you don’t have to act a certain way to be part of a group. I’ve learned that everyone has their own definition of a successful life.”

With keynote speakers like kindness advocate Houston Kraft, student leaders, like Bryant, attending the conference discovered more about not only leading, but also about themselves. However, students also had the opportunity to communicate ideas through sessions with their peers.

“I’m actually really glad [I went] because I learned a lot about what other student councils do and just schools in general, and I feel we can learn a lot from other schools,” freshman Connor Ray said. “It really has changed my perspective on our school, and ours in particular, because of how negative it is and how positive these other schools are and how much we have to learn from them.”

After realizing the changes that FHN could make to create both a better learning environment and school atmosphere, the students attending state immediately began working to find ways to implement their ideas.

“Doing things around high school kids is an easy way to stay young, so I really value the time and learning from students and from catching a little of their fire and enthusiasm for change,” StuCo sponsor Jani Wilkens said. “When you’ve been teaching for sixteen years it brings you out of a little stale place you sometimes get into. I’m excited for that.”

The students hope their captivating ‘fire and enthusiasm’ for change will spread throughout the school to make promising changes and a positive impact for the future years to come.

“I just really want to see a difference in our school as it’s just gone downhill, even since I’ve been here,” Ray said. “I really feel we could be at such a higher place. Everyone could be a lot happier. I think people should look forward to coming to school and not make it a chore, and I think we can do that.”