Student leaders from 37 South Carolina Independent School Association schools, including Newberry Academy held their Fall Conference recently at the State House in Columbia. Newberry Academy’s Dylan Mackeben was elected treasurer for the 2015-16 year.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_aallpic.jpgStudent leaders from 37 South Carolina Independent School Association schools, including Newberry Academy held their Fall Conference recently at the State House in Columbia. Newberry Academy’s Dylan Mackeben was elected treasurer for the 2015-16 year. Courtesy photo

ORANGEBURG — Elected student leaders from members of the South Carolina Independent Schools Student Association recently held their fall conference in the House of Representatives Chambers at the State House in Columbia.

The students attend schools in South Carolina and Georgia, including Newberry Academy. Dylan Mackeben was elected treasurer for the 2015-16 year.

While in session at the State House, the students held their general meeting, which included discussions on the Student Exchange program, the Student Council of the Year, the Honor Society of the Year and the 2016 Spring Convention.

Additionally, during a development session, students introduced resolutions, which will be debated during the 2016 Spring Convention.

Students interested in running for a SCISSA office during the 2016 Spring Convention were allowed to speak with and question the present elected officials of the association.

The South Carolina Independent School Student Association officers for 2015-2016 are Carter Falk, president, First Baptist School, Charleston; Ben Buzhardt, first vice president, W. Wyman King Academy, Batesburg; Chandler Swicord, second vice-president, Williamsburg Academy, Kingstree; Maelee Troutman, recording secretary, Holly Hill Academy, Holly Hill; Julianna Corbin, historian, Patrick Henry Academy, Estill; Ben O’Cain, parliamentarian, Dorchester Academy, St. George; and Logan Kraft, corresponding secretary, First Baptist School.

“These student leaders had an opportunity to participate in the democratic process in the same setting used by our Legislature,” Larry Watt, SCISA executive director, said. “This activity, in addition to the education they receive at their respective schools, will go a long way in preparing them to become good, productive citizens of the state when they graduate.”

The South Carolina Independent School Association is a non-profit, voluntary association of over 120 independent schools serving more than 37,000 teachers and students.

Founded in 1965, the State of South Carolina incorporated SCISA as an exclusively educational organization with the responsibilities of establishing accreditation standards, coordinating academic and athletic competition and providing professional development for member organizations.