The TEPSA Student Leadership Award was established in 2018 to honor outstanding student leadership teams and their impact on school communities in the state of Texas. Since its inception, the Willow Bend Elementary Student Council has received the state-level award every year. This year, they are one of only 66 student leadership teams across Texas to receive the honor.

“It is a big deal to us, and we proudly tell our community that we have an award-winning student council. We definitely want to keep that going, and it’s how we promote it to the upcoming students and parents who are interested in joining,” said Elisa Gonzales, Willow Bend Elementary Student Council Sponsor.

To receive the award, student leadership teams must show how their annual projects promote campus culture, community service, leadership, character development, staff appreciation and much more.

Gonzales says their student council is very active with multiple service projects throughout the year including hosting Willow Bend’s first Trunk or Treat, participating in Kindness Week by encouraging students and staff with small gestures to promote kindness, spoiling staff through appreciation days, organizing their annual Winter Wonder Land Dance, and provide Frenship High School seniors with scholarships.

But the students didn’t just focus on giving back to their fellow classmates and teachers. The student council also volunteered and served the community including donating their time and money to Upland Missions.

“We raised money and taught the student the Frenship Way and why it’s so important to serve the community. We serve first and then we have fun,” said Gonzales. “We hope that students learned to be kind and be good leaders, and that sometimes good leaders are also the ones who are good listeners. We have seen them grow in their rolls and that has been special. They were always so eager to give a helping hand, so I hope they keep that mentality going forward.”

The Willow Bend Student Council will be recognized by TEPSA with a video presentation at the Summer Conference for their efforts in leadership and service.