By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Yukon High School junior Gillian Pickering will represent the school in 2023 as the state’s Student Council vice president.
The YHS Student Council successfully campaigned for the statewide office at the recent 82nd Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) State Convention in Cache. Theme was “Spread the Love.”
Thirty-six YHS Student Council delegates were accompanied by advisor Darryl Andrews, co-advisor Sarah Harrod, and sponsors Diana Lebsack, Martha Embry and Akira McGuire.
Gilllian’s term as state vice president starts next January.
“This means everything to me,” Gillian said. “I am blessed with the support system I have and being able to honor my family and my Student Council.”
A primary goal for Gillian’s year in office is to offer a fall and spring officer training program to schools across Oklahoma for “student exchange” at the district level.
She plans to have an OASC mid-winter organizer designed to get Student Council delegates and advisors “amped up” for the rest of the school year. This overnight retreat will feature workshops, training, teambuilding exercises, and speakers.
During her team as OASC vice president, Gillian will attend district conferences and other meetings throughout 2023 and summer leadership workshops. She will help facilitate the state StuCo convention in Owasso.
“I’m just excited for this year being able to lead my council,” the YHS student added.
Gillian knew she wanted to run for state Student Council office after participating in a summer workshop.
“The people there inspired me to do it,” she said.
Serving her second year in Yukon’s Student Council, Gillian is the daughter of Lindsey Willetts and Aaron Pickering.
A member of the National Honor Society and School Spirit Committee, she is a Yukon Leaders of Tomorrow graduate.
Gillian wants to attend the University of Arkansas and pursue a career in the legal profession.
MAKING YUKON PROUD
Lebsack, YPS’ executive director of secondary education, praised the YHS Student Council State Convention delegation.
“They worked very, very hard,” Lebsack said this week. “Our kids made Yukon very proud.”
Some 1,300 Student Council delegates from about 130 schools across Oklahoma attended the OASC convention. A state president (representing Santa Fe South) and state secretary (Owasso) also were elected for 2023.
Andrews, Yukon’s longtime Student Council advisor, said the campaign for state vice president was a “school effort.”
“Everybody who went on the trip helped with the campaign,” Andrews emphasized.
Yukon ran against four other schools – Piedmont, Del City, Casady, and Ada.
Each school campaigned for the position with a platform, having previously selected the student who will represent them if they win.
“Gillian was the one who expressed interest in running for this,” Andrews explained. “She felt she had the time dedicate to it.
“I was proud of Gillian for being bold enough to step up. She carried herself in a professional manner and executed everything well.
“There were many compliments from other advisors about Gillian’s presence and demeanor.”
Harrod, the Yukon Student Council’s volunteer co-advisor, worked closely with Gillian to prepare for the OASC vice president campaign. Now a YHS English teacher, Harrod ran for the same state office five years ago but was defeated.
Yukon has hosted the OASC state convention five times – in 1996, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020.
