Owings, MD – Northern Middle School is the recipient of the prestigious Felix Simon Award for Leadership and Service, an honor presented annually by the Maryland Association of Student Councils (MASC) to the top middle school student government group(s) in the state. The awards ceremony took place at the MASC Convention held in Ocean City, Maryland on April 6-8. Thirty-four students and seven sponsors from the Calvert Association of Student Councils (CASC) were among the nearly 1,000 people attending the event.
Scott Goldstein, CASC sponsor and social studies teacher at Patuxent High, said, “The Felix Simon Award is named for the founder of the Maryland Association of Student Councils. The award is synonymous with the excellence and dedication established by Felix Simon over 50 years ago. Student governments that earn this honor have committed themselves to serving others and teaching leadership with passion.”
This year marks the first time a Calvert County middle school earned the distinction of the Felix Simon Award since Calvert Middle won in 1992, the first year the award was given. In 2015, Huntingtown High was among the three high school winners across the state. The award is not a competition among councils, but rather a set of criteria for all school student governments to use to enhance leadership, service and student empowerment within their schools. To apply for this award, a Student Government Association (SGA) must evaluate all of its activities at the school and community level, the regional level and the state level. An SGA earns points for every activity it hosts and for every event in which it participates. Points are also earned for a written constitution and bylaws, documented elections, and impartial self-evaluations of all activities within the organization. To win the award, an SGA must earn 85% of the possible points.
MASC strives to foster a statewide environment for all secondary school students to express and exchange opinions and ideas, develop leadership skills, and promote student representation and involvement in all groups and organizations impacting the lives of students.