Welcome to the Southern Association of Student Councils!
There are many organizations dedicated, in some fashion or another, to the betterment of our society and culture, our American way of life, if you will. Some are designed for the needs of the business community while others are focused on the arts and humanities. The Southern Association of Student Councils centers its attention on a segment of our society that represents the future of our nation in virtually every respect the new leadership.
The Southern Association of Student Councils began in 1932 when Central High School of Memphis, Tennessee, invited several schools in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas to participate in a convention to celebrate its twentieth term of student government. Because of the success of and response to this meeting, the attending schools decided to hold a meeting each year. Other schools were invited to send delegates, and thus the Southern Association of Student Councils was born.
Since 1932, member schools have served as hosts to the annual conference except during World War II, when it was necessary to discontinue them. From 1932 to 1946, the Head Advisor to SASC was Charles F. Allen. He said, There is probably no greater field for initiating and stimulating practical citizenship than student council work in the modern secondary school. During his years as Head Advisor SASC encouraged the formation of a state association in each of the fourteen member states.
Succeeding Mr. Allen as Head Advisor for SASC were Dr. Srygley (1946-51), J. L. Burks (1952-59), D. D. Gentry (1960), Oneta Cummings (1960-69), Dan Waguespack (1970-72), and Curtis Vanadore (1973-75). The title of Head Advisor was changed to Executive Director and Patricia B. Ireland served in that capacity from 1975 until 2011. The current Executive Director of the organization is Marquita Thomas (2011-present).
Although the structure of the Southern Association of Student Councils has changed throughout the years, the philosophy on which it was built is still a reality today. Student Councils representing member schools throughout the fifteen member state region (Missouri was added in the 1980s) still convene once a year to provide leadership training practical experience in democratic principles, an exchange of ideas, and an exposure to different life styles as guests in the host school community. Believing that we can no longer live in a world where our interests are limited to the people and problems of our immediate community, the Southern Association of Student Councils continues to offer student council members throughout the region a chance to grow and expand their knowledge through travel and shared experience. This objective is as real today as it was in 1932. The Southern Association of Student Councils is proud of its heritage and history. It congratulates the member schools who have supported it through the years and applauds those schools which have served as conference host. SASC pledges many more years of challenging conferences for the young leaders who ARE the Southern Association of Student Councils.