BEMIDJI 鈥� As she prepares to wrap up her high school career, TrekNorth senior Cecelia Humphrey looks back on her time in student council with appreciation.
As part of Humphrey鈥檚 role as president of the Northwest Division Board for the Minnesota Association of Student Councils, she played an instrumental role in hosting a fall summit last year for over 200 students from northwest Minnesota schools.
ADVERTISEMENT
Following her reelection this past spring, she was able to replicate this with added confidence in her leadership ability.
Starting off as a large group gathering in Bemidji State鈥檚 Beaux Arts Ballroom before dividing into various break-out sessions on Wednesday, Humphrey and other members of the Northwest Division Board facilitated 鈥淭ake Flight Into Leadership,鈥� an event aimed at networking and encouraging greater participation in leadership.
鈥淚f their council is in a rut, not knowing what to do or if they feel their council isn鈥檛 doing enough, they can go back with ideas to implement into their council,鈥� Humphrey said, 鈥渁nd then I hope they meet new people, network, want to be more involved with MASC and potentially run for a position. Hopefully, we can encourage students to branch out in that sense.鈥�
The summit kicked off with the singing of the national anthem by the TrekNorth Choir Trio, of which Humphrey was a part. The Modern Medicine Drum Group then played a flag song before introductions took place.
Though unable to attend, TrekNorth Executive Director Erica Harmsen shared remarks with the roughly 230 students in attendance that TrekNorth Student Council Advisor Jodie Olson read off.
鈥淣ot only do I hope you enjoy your time today on this beautiful campus, but I hope you take away ideas to better yourself, your school and your community,鈥� Olson said on behalf of Harmsen. 鈥淪eniors, it is close to the time for you to take your flight and I鈥檓 thankful for the opportunities the student councils have given you to prepare for your next adventure.鈥�
Speaking for herself, Olson encouraged all students to learn as much as they could throughout the day of activities.
ADVERTISEMENT
鈥淢ake it a goal to learn at least one new thing,鈥� Olson said. 鈥淢eet other student leaders. You can learn from each other, then go back to your school and use what you鈥檝e learned.鈥�
Following icebreakers and teaching the schools the Northwest Division cheer, student leadership consultant Doug Erickson spoke about the value of making connections in leadership endeavors and life in general.
Erickson previously worked with MASC and is somebody that Humphrey considers a great resource during her involvement with the organization.
鈥淒oug knows a lot about student life, what the problems are in schools and how councils work to combat those,鈥� Humphrey said. 鈥淚 hope that students take away a lot from him.鈥�
Representing TrekNorth
When the summit was all said and done, Humphrey noted a greater level of confidence in her ability to lead a summit a second time around.
鈥淟ast year, I remember being very frazzled because I hadn鈥檛 done it before and I hadn鈥檛 been in a position where I would talk in front of 200 to 300 kids,鈥� Humphrey said. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely more comfortable with public speaking now because I鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 more laid back than I thought.鈥�
ADVERTISEMENT
Humphrey was not only excited to be reelected to her position for this year 鈥� and therefore, host the summit in Bemidji 鈥� but also the added representation of TrekNorth on the Northwest Division Board. TrekNorth student Iris Jensen became the board鈥檚 secretary while Marla Mesarina became a representative following an election last spring.
Additionally, Olson was recognized as the Northwest Division Advisor of the Year in March, an honor that Humphrey finds fitting considering Olson鈥檚 retirement after this school year.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great for Jodi鈥檚 last year to have this representation on the board. We鈥檝e had it before, but not as a president, secretary and representative, so it鈥檚 a big deal,鈥� Humphrey said. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping the rest of the (TrekNorth student council) who are underclassmen stem from that.鈥�
Once she wraps up her seventh year in student council and graduates next spring, Humphrey tentatively plans to attend the University of Minnesota, Duluth for the medical field or biology.
Admitting indecisiveness when it comes to such a big decision, Humphrey has her family as a support system that she can turn to no matter which direction she chooses. This includes her grandmother who passed away earlier this fall.
鈥淪he was one of the people I wanted to lead for and make proud,鈥� Humphrey left off. 鈥淪ince my first election, my goal has been to lead and represent my culture, my ancestors, and the strong women I descend from.鈥�
The Trust Project
