MADISON – Student Government Association members at James Clemens High School excelled at the Alabama Student Council Association State Conference held at the University of Alabama.

At this annual event, student councils from across Alabama gather to pursue leadership training, compete for various awards, demonstrate leadership skills and campaign for state offices on the state association’s board.

This year, approximately 400 students attended. Thirty members of James Clemens SGA and Leadership class attended.

“I am beyond proud of these kids. Proud to be a Jet!” advisor Melanie Turner said. Turner chairs James Clemens Mathematics Department and advises Mu Alpha Theta.

Officials recognized James Clemens as a “Gold Member School” for supporting an annual scholarship to a senior at the conference. For “Gold Outstanding Student Council” status, the Jets accrued points for exemplary participation in state, Southern and national associations. They also documented school spirit, leadership, community service, positive school culture and parliamentary procedure.

Student Jude Logo earned second place for his speech about pledging servant leadership. Also in second place, the Jet’s entry for “Scrapbook” was a pictorial documentation of projects and service for 2017-2018, club constitution and meeting minutes.

James Clemens students were acknowledged for contributing $2,000 to the state project for Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with collecting $8,000 for another local ‘Wish’ child. In addition, the Madison school was honored as a “President School for ASCA” for 2018-2019.

Random Acts of Kindness Week at James Clemens earned the “Leadership” award. During this week, SGA sponsored a faculty-student basketball game as a Make-A-Wish fundraiser. A “wall of kindness” allowed students to post kind words to classmates, teachers and staff. On Valentine’s Day, students were greeted at the entrance with candy, cards and music.

Their banner claimed third place with the theme “Pledge Leadership.” Executive President Kiana Bohanan used school colors bordered with “JCHS” in a Greek font.

“The two-day conference is an excellent teambuilding event,” Turner said. “Students are on committees for the awards, and they volunteer to lead roundtable discussions. They (gave) our campaign presentation.”

“The roll call and speech (activities) are held in front of the entire conference and provide opportunity to speak in front of large group,” she said.