Putnam City West High School and Putnam City North High School have been named winners of 2011 Gold Council of Excellence Awards by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). The award, which recognizes student councils’ exemplary records of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community, was given this year to 144 schools across the nation.

Both Putnam City high schools have history with the award. Putnam City West’s student council has won the award three years in a row and Putnam City North’s student council has earned the award in three out of the last four years.

"Receiving a NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award indicates a dedication on the part of the local school to providing a strong well-rounded student council program," says Jeff Sherrill, associate director of NASC. "NASC applauds the work of each National Gold Council of Excellence, and challenges them to continue their exemplary efforts to serve their schools as the elected representatives of their student body."

To earn the award, a student council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, schools that qualify for the award demonstrate such things as leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in their state and national student council associations.

Students at the two high schools are pleased to receive the award.

“This award recognizes our student council for the many hours that we put in to make our school and community a better place. Oklahoma is the top state for student councils and this allows Putnam City West to be viewed as one of the best in the state and nation,” says Putnam City West Spirit Vice President Allie Vines.

KatieBeth Gardner, vice president of Students United at North, Putnam City North’s student council, says students feel honored.

“Last year at the national convention in Indiana, I had the opportunity, along with the rest of the Putnam City North delegates, to receive the gold award won the previous year. It was an awesome experience to represent Putnam City North and the state of Oklahoma in such a positive manner. Our council this year is proud to be continuing the tradition of excellence at Putnam City North by accepting this prestigious award,” Gardner says.

The schools will be recognized along with other Gold Council of Excellence winners at the 2011 NASC national conference held June 25-27 in St. Louis.