2014-15 Advisory Council Kicks Off

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 19, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA's Student Advisory Council met for the first time Tuesday for its annual 24-hour leadership camp at Mystic Lake near Farwell. 

Check out this "Flipagram" from the MHSAA's Instagram page to see some of what these 16 students experienced during the trip. 

Returning members of the Council who will graduate next spring are Eliza Beird from Holland Black River; Grant Osborne, White Lake Lakeland; Amanda Paull, Cheboygan; Jonathan Perry, McBain Northern Michigan Christian; Emily Starck, Remus Chippewa Hills; Connor Thomas, Marlette; Caycee Turczyn, Lapeer West; and Aaron Van Horn, Kingston. 

They are joined by incoming juniors Tucker Gross of Beal City; Katie Hartzler, Bridgman; Benjamin Kowalske, Livonia Stevenson; Jared Pittman, Muskegon; Bekah Myler, Gaylord St. Mary; Jordan Michalak, Birmingham Seaholm; Trevor Trierweiler, Portland; and Greta Wilker, Belding. 

The Student Advisory Council provides feedback on issues impacting educational athletics from a student’s perspective and also is involved in the operation of Association championship events and other programming. 

Members of the Student Advisory Council serve for two years, beginning as juniors. Eight new members are selected annually to serve on the SAC, with nominations made by MHSAA member schools.

SAC Sound-off: What did you learn?

May 30, 2012

So why be part of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council? It looks great on a college application, and it's a lot of fun. But our members also picked up some important perspectives this school year.

It starts with sportsmanship

“Always promote sportsmanship. Sportsmanship doesn’t just apply to athletics. It applies to future careers and working with people in different cultures.” – Detroit Country Day senior Maria Buczkowski

“Being a good sport will take you far, and working as a team can take you even farther.” Portland St. Patrick junior Elle Lehman

“Keep my temper under control and always keep a positive attitude.” – Evan Lamb, Rogers City junior

Leadership doesn't stop at the door

“In order to be a leader on my teams, I need to be a leader all of the time – including at school, at practice and anywhere else I go. I’ve learned that no matter where I am, I represent my teams, school and the MHSAA.” – Carly Joseph, Pontiac Notre Dame prep junior

“Leadership isn’t just leading. It’s doing what’s right, even if it’s not the ‘cool’ thing to do.” – Vandercook Lake junior Thye Fischman

“Being on the SAC these past two years has really made me realize just how much of a role model a high school athlete is to a younger one. It’s pretty special to see the smiles on their faces if you just take five minutes to talk to them.” – Rudyard senior Tyler Wilson

We can learn from each other

“It helped me to branch out and become familiar with other schools that I have never even heard of before.” – Walled Lake Central junior Taylor Krumm

“I learned a lot about how other schools are run, and I made a lot of friends that I hope last for a long time. I also learned how important leadership is.” – Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central junior Abby Radomsky

Together, we can do big things

“I now realize that being a member of the SAC has taught me that I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself. For example, the ‘Battle of the Fans’ was statewide. I know that with the right drive, organization and work ethic, projects like this are feasible.” – New Buffalo senior Lena Madison

There's a right way to cheer

“Student sections can be fun, loud and not get the other team down.” – Benzie Central senior Travis Clous

“The camaraderie and friendships I made when visiting Rockford for our ‘Battle of the Fans’ competition taught me what student cheering sections are truly about.” – Bailey Truesdell, Grand Blanc senior

“The way the student section acts at games is a reflection on the character and the values that the school has.” Muskegon Catholic Central senior Alissa Jones