Student Council earns national recognition
![Group photo of the high school student council]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744213815/uscsdk12paus/pbe4j8ystpqknwlfezxv/StuCo2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744213815/uscsdk12paus/pbe4j8ystpqknwlfezxv/StuCo2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744213815/uscsdk12paus/pbe4j8ystpqknwlfezxv/StuCo2025.png","width":800}])
Upper St. Clair High School Student Council has been recognized as a 2025 National Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). The designation recognizes Student Council’s exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that improve the school and community. This marks the fifth year that USCHS Student Council has earned this national recognition.
More than 70 students in grades nine through 12 participate in Student Council at USCHS. They help to plan numerous school and community events and oversee the school’s 100+ clubs. Major annual events include Homecoming Week, Winter Formal, Prom, Rush (activities fair), Powder Puff football game, Halls of Fame, Kindness Week, U-THON, Upper St. Clair’s Community Day and other community service projects. In addition, Student Council members serve as school ambassadors and tour guides for Open House, alumni visits and other events.
“The student council at Upper St. Clair High School just pulled off something extraordinary,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Their student-driven change has earned them national recognition as a National Council of Excellence, proving that when young people are given the chance to lead, they turn their vision into real-world impact.”
Upper St. Clair is one of only 10 Pennsylvania high schools recognized as 2025 National Council of Excellence Award Winners. Other Allegheny County schools include Elizabeth Forward High School, Montour High School and South Fayette High School. Nationwide, 460 high schools earned this achievement.
The National Council of Excellence application process was spearheaded by Caty Howard, sophomore class president. Senior Ryan LaRocco serves as Student Council president and Brooke Tarcson, head of student activities, serves as Student Council adviser.
A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process, the councils must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community.
The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Learn more about the National Council of Excellence Awards.
- USCHS