Thibodaux High counselor earns national nod

Thibodaux High School counselor and student council adviser Beth David has been named the 2007 Warren E. Shull High School Adviser of the Year recipient.

David received her award at the 71st Annual National Association of Student Councils (NASC) Conference in Overland Park, Kan., in late June. For the past 19 years, the association has recognized outstanding student council advisers for their exemplary leadership skills.

“Generally, the public views the student council as an umbrella with all other groups in the school under their care,” David said. “They are the cheerleaders of the school, the guide of responsible influence in the school, the group you go to when all else fails, and the club the administration depends upon for support.”

“All of these assumptions are true, but to me, the role of the student council is a much more personal one,” she added. “We are the caregivers of the school and community.”

At Thibodaux High, David is a guidance counselor as well as the student council adviser. During her 34 years of service, she has held numerous leadership positions in the Louisiana Association of Student Councils, and has worked diligently with the students at Thibodaux High.

Her students have conducted trainings for incoming ninth graders. Over the years, the students have raised more than $50,000 in an annual Christmas penny drive, and formed an “Adopt a Grandparent” program with the goal of visiting at least three elderly citizens twice a week.

For decades, David has been offering up her time to continue the mission of giving students a voice in what happens in their schools and their communities. “We couldn’t be more proud of her. She has helped many of our students meet their potential,” said THS assistant principal Yvonne Weimer.

Weimer has only been an administrator at Thibodaux High since 2002, but she has known David for many years. “Mrs. Beth was my daughter’s counselor. She helped my child reach her full potential and I am grateful for that,” she said.

In a release, NASC Director Rocco Marano said, “Student council advisers like David are the reason why this great program is able to thrive.”

Warren E. Shull founded NASC in 1931 while serving as an Oklahoma high school student council president. NASC is the nation’s only national student council organization providing leadership development of middle level and high school students and advisers.