Nieskens Appointed to First-Ever MHSA Student Advisory Council

At the Montana High School Association (MHSA) annual meeting in January, representatives to MHSA's first-ever Student Advisory Council were announced. Whitehall sophomore Charity Nieskens has received a spot at the table as the Class B Representative for Whitehall High School.

"This is a proud mom moment, but also fantastic for Whitehall High School to land one of these sports," Whitehall Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said.

The mission of this council will be to provide a voice for student-members within the MHSA structure by assisting with the following: rules and regulations, current issues facing students, promoting a positive perception of the MHSA, promoting a positive image of the students, assisting with MHSA marketing and social media, and gaining experience in and knowledge of a sports management environment.

Candidates who applied showed a history of leadership on athletic and/or performing arts teams as well as with other extracurricular activities, community service projects, or in the workplace; and show an understanding of the role of school sports and have ideas for promoting a proper perspective for educational athletics and activities. In addition, those who applied:

• are viewed as positive role models in schools and communities.

• are capable of working with students from a variety of social groups.

• exemplify the tenets of Student Services and Sportsmanship (Character, Integrity, Citizenship, and Respect).

Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are the only states considering or implementing a student committee for their state associations at this time.

In addition to Nieskens, the following students were selected:

• AA Rep: Junior Gage Sliter, Glacier High School

• AA Rep: Sophomore Annika Nehring, Helena High School

• A Rep: Junior Elijah Tonasket, Ronan High School

• A Rep: Junior Avery Carlson, Havre High School

• A Rep: Sophomore Hank Jagodzinski, Billings Central High School

• C Rep: Sophomore Ayla Janzen, Twin Bridges High School

• C Rep: Junior Max Romney, Lone Peak High School

For more information on this and MHSA, visit http://www.mhs.org.