Members of the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) have gathered on Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Alva campus for BASIC, a leadership workshop, June 13-18. About 240 high school students from across Oklahoma are attending this camp, where students engage in major skill development sessions.

Students attending for the week include high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. During the workshop, students are divided into 12 councils where they must come up with a school name, mascot, colors and a school song and chant. Students in each council also are given real-life problems to solve and then act out their resolutions using skits. They also participate in breakout sessions that include leadership styles, team building, etiquette, school spirit and activities.

Junior Counselors, members of OASC who have graduated high school, were assigned to each of the 12 councils. Those students include Grace Banks, Macy Bush, Xan Fuzzelle, Noey Grimaldo, Elena Holquin, Haley Kidney, Delaney Lambert, Adrie Marr, Peyton McCuan, Joseph Onema, Zac Robbins, Eden Rutledge, Ella Stanley, Braxton Tempest, Corbin Walls and Katelyn Woods.

Students are using various buildings around campus and stay in university housing along with the directors: Karen Koehn of Alva Northwest Technology Center, workshop director for junior counselors and state officers; Denise Tomlinson of Bixby High School, director of facilities; Martha Embry of Tulsa Union High School, director of curriculum and adult staff; and Shawn Freeman of Ada High School, director of registration.

Koehn said she is very thankful to Northwestern and the Alva community for their support in playing host to the event.

“The smiles on the Northwestern campus and the community of Alva verify the enjoyment Alva has in hosting the OASC BASIC Leadership Workshop,” Koehn said. “Being one of the first post-Covid workshops for high school students has been well received, and the delegates are eager to learn and lead.”

A second BASIC workshop will take place on Northwestern’s campus July 11-16.