Six High School student council members recently attended a conference to improve their leadership skills and learn from fellow student council members.

The 22^nd annual South Dakota Student Council Association was held at the Ramkota River Center in Pierre, South Dakota, March 29 through March 31.

Students Quinn Mahler, Tyler Kruse, Alyssa Limke, Ashley Faldmo, Mckayla Peryman and Karina Kiewel left for the convention Sunday morning amid concerns about winter weather. Student council advisor Kim Bacon chaperoned the trip.

Sunday was designated “Region T-shirt day”. Junior Quinn Mahler was selected to design the shirts a year earlier at the region meeting. The Gavin’s Point Dam Region is represented by the color Navy Blue.

After arriving Sunday night a brief business meeting of the State Executive board SDSCA state board has held. Following the meeting President Sam Carlson introduced the night’s keynote speaker Stephen Bargatze.

Bargatze, who was chosen to represent the US at the World Summit of Magic, entertained the students with magic tricks and jokes as well as promoting the importance of abstence from drugs and alcohol.

“The  whole magic part was really fascinating but what I will remember is what he said about how you treat others around you. He made me think in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise and hopefully I came out of his presentation a better person,” said Junior Ashley Faldmo.

The students then attended their region meeting to make nominations for the state board elections. Dakota Valley is in the Gavin’s Point Dam Region. Junior Quinn Mahler completed her second term as secretary of the region and Senior Alyssa Limke served as the region Reporter for 2008-2009.

After the meetings were adjourned campaigning for the state board began. Posters featuring candidates pictures and a variety of slogans covered the walls. This time gave the students an opportunity to get to know the candidates and make new friends.

“This time gives us an opportunity to get to know not only the candidates that you will be voting for the next morning but to also meet people from other councils and socialize with old friends,” said Senior Alyssa Limke.

Monday morning began with Keynote Speaker Josh Sundquist.

Sundquist was diagnosed with bone cancer at age nine and had to have his leg amputated. He shared stories about his expericecnes as a member of the US Paralympic Ski Team for the 2006 Paralympics in Turino, Italy and life in general.

With a winter storm bearing down on the city of Pierre, many schools became anxious with the possibility of being snowed in. To accommodate the schools who wished to leave early, Tuesday’s region meeting was moved up so elections for the next year’s region boards could be held. Mahler was elected the president of the Gavin’s Point region for 2009-2010.

Schools in the Gavin’s Point region are Alcester-Hudson, Beresford, Canton, Centerville, Dakota Valley, Elk Point-Jefferson, Gayville-Volin, Hurley, Irene-Wakonda, Lennox, Marion

Parker, Vermillion, Viborg and Yankton

Dakota Valley left the convention before it’s completion on Tuesday Afternoon.