National Association of Student Councils Convention held at Lakes High School, June 1966

PHOTO: Lakes High students (l-r) Rick Hahn, Greg Saxton and Ann Harris in June 1965 at Union (train) station, downtown Tacoma. They were respective Lakes High 1965-1966 student body president, student body vice president, and student senator. At the station, they were waiting to board a passenger train for trip to attend the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) convention, June 21-24, 1965, in Lexington, Kentucky. Key reason for their trip was to help them prepare for the 30th annual NASC convention at Lakes High School, June 26-30, 1966. During the Lexington convention, Hahn was elected NASC for 1965-1966.

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Conference at Lakes High Wins Praise From Across the Nation

Lakes High School was sponsor of the 30th annual National Association of Student Councils Conference held June 26-30, 1966.

By D. C. MOLNARFFY

The writer is a 1966 Lakes High School grad. This story appeared in the  Aug. 14, 1966, Sunday Tacoma News-Tribune’s ‘Teen-Age Tribune.’

DENVER Public Schools called it, “One of the best jobs ever done.” Dale Stein of the Illinois Association of Student Councils called it, “... the highlight of my high school career.” The North Carolina Student Council Congress called it,” a most interesting and successful conference.” And Susan Grunenfelder, Tumwater High School said, “As a resident of Washington I couldn’t help but be proud of the first NASC conference held in Washington.”

These and many other complimentary comments exemplify the common reaction held by administrators, teachers and students throughout the nation who attended the 30th Annual National Conference of the National Association of Student Councils June 26-30 at Lakes Senior High School.

In theory, the NASC conference brings together the youth leaders of America for the primary purpose of interchanging ideas and opinions; thus when delegates return to their respective high schools and communities a new enrichment in concepts has been gained and can be passed on.

Sponsor’s Role

The role of the sponsoring high school in such a conference is to apply the necessary theme, program, accomodationols, and recreation. Serving as the theme for the 1966 meeting was “Twenty-0four Hour Leadership” representing the necessity for complete dedication in the service of others.

The outstanding organization of the_ conference reflected three years of earnest planning by Lakes administrators.

Seven general sessions represented the bulk of activity, with discussion groups relating to business of the general sessions and other topics.

Adding inspiration to the conference were speeches by prominent Washingtonians and top high school administrators.

In the initial speech of the conclave Gov. Dan Evans welcomed all delegates to the Northwest — later Jim Whittaker, first American to conquer Mt. Everest, delivered a speech concerning mountain climbing and his personal philosophy relating not only to mountain climbing but to all other endeavors. Lakes ASB president and NASC president Rick delivered the keynote address, and the rest of the conference was filled with many worthwhile speeches.

Recreation, Too

On a lighter note delegates were provided with an assortment of recreational facilities and refreshments; the making of friends throughout the Lakewood community was the most pleasing pastime for the delegates.

General chairman, Arthur H. Stolz, Lakes senior dean and assistant principal, introduced the beauty of the Northwest to the delegates stating, ‘‘This vacationland extends from the Pacific Ocean to the top of snow-capped Mount Rainier—and beyond. Whether your interests lead you to undersea diving or to mountain climbing, you can find the best kind of recreation, challenging recreation, here.”

The spirit of the NASC Conference is best illustrated by the words of President Johnson to the delegates, ‘‘Few lessons in the educational process are more important than those you learn as student leaders. Few experiences are more gratify-ing than the familiarity you have gained with the spirit and method of democracy.’’

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This was originally posted July 11, 2015. It was updated May 20, 2019, and May 11, 2022.

After Lakes' 1965-1966 school year, a national convention took place at Lakes High. Prior to it, Clover Park School District paid minimal attention to Lakes campus grounds. But, with visitors coming from 49 of 50 states (which state was missing?) for the convention, the district spiffed up the grounds.

It was the 30th annual National Association of Student Councils convention held June 26-30, 1966, at Lakes High School.

=Executive-Type Youth
Leads Student Council
And Plans for Future

Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World - Nov 2, 1965

TACOMA, Wash. -- Rick Hahn is the executive type. And, students from all over the country recognized that when they chose him this year's president of the National Association of Student Councils.

This means that while he is engrossed in his senior year school work, and his post as president of the Lakes High School Student Council here, he'll also be preparing for the 1966 national convention of the Association, which will be held at his own school next summer.

Read entire story here (link below):

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19651102&id=Sk4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FeYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5069,3426541&hl=en

.......

=Student at parley

Oneonta (New York) Star - June 30, 1966

SOUTH KORTRIGHT -- Gray Sturgess, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Sturgess, South Kortright, and president-elect of the South Kortright Central School Student Council, flew from New York City to Tacoma, Washington Sunday, June 26 to attend the 30th Annual National Conference of the National Association of Student Councils.

As one of three representatives from New York State, she represented District 8 of the New York State Association of Student Councils. While attending the Conference at Lakes High School, Tacoma, Gray was the guest of one of the students of this school.

Participants at the Conference heard Richard N. Hann, president, NASC, speak on "Twenty - Four Hour Leadership"; Donald I. Wood, Head of the Department of Education, Rice University, whose topic was "The Case of the Twilight Council"; and Gerald M. Van Pool, Director of Student Activities, National Association of Secondary School Principals, moderating a panel discussion on "What Student Council Has Meant to Me."

No link to story available.

.......

=NASC Conference Stresses "Twenty-Four Hour Leadership"

“The Reporter” of Illinois Assn. of Student Councils - Nov. 1, 1966

Story says "Delegates from all but one of the 50 states converged on Lakes High School, located in an outlying suburb of Tacoma, Washington, for the conference."

In his keynote address, National Association of Student Councils (NASC) president Richard Hahn set forth the qualities of a leader as 1-dependability, 2-initative, 3-personal integrity, 4-flexibility, 5-open mindedness and 6-the courage to respect the minority.

"In conclusion, he asserted we must lead not by words, but by deeds, all the time as twenty-four hour leaders."

Read entire story (link below) here from the Nov. 1 1966, “The Reporter” of the Illinois Association of Student Councils:
https://illinoisstuco.org/Content/Reporter/196611_vol21no2.pdf