MASC February 2026 Bulletin

We’re excited to share that the MASC monthly bulletin is now designed and delivered through the SMORE platform! Our goal is for it to arrive directly to your inbox.

Advisors:
This distribution list includes advisor email addresses that were previously blocked on the Wix email marketing platform MASC used in past years.

• If you are no longer an advisor, please email Karen Crawford at Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org to be removed. If possible, include the name and contact information of the advisor who has replaced you.

• If you ONLY received the bulletin via a forwarded message and would prefer to receive it directly, please sign up using the link below.

Students: Have you graduated? Please email Karen Crawford at Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org to let her know when you graduated, which school you attended, and what you’re doing now. We’ll be happy to move you to the MASC alumni list and keep you connected!

Click on the graphic for the ink to archived MASC Bulletins.

Buy a Domino's Slice the Price Card!

The card is good ONLY AT PARTICIPATING DOMINO'S - click HERE for specific participating stores in Maryland.

Anne Arundel (85%), Baltimore County (84%) & City (100%), Cecil (25%), Dorchester (100%), Frederick (25%), Harford (100%), Howard (100%), Prince George's (11%), Washington (100%), Wicomio (100%)

• The card allows you to buy a large pizza at menu price and get a large pizza free!
• The card works for online order, delivery or carryout!
• The card sells for just $20! Uee the card just one time, it pays for itself!
• Use the card as many times as you woul like until Thursday, December 31, 2026.
• Great for parties! Buy 10 large pizzas, gt 10 large pizzas FREE!

MASC bought 65 large pizzas for the Legislative Session and we got 65 free large pizza!

Scan the QR code or click on the QR code to go to the MASC store to buy your card and have it mailed directly to you! You can also donate cards and MASC will give them as gifts to schools in participating areas.

Despite the winter storm, MASC successfully held its Legislative Session at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore County on Saturday, January 24. To ensure everyone could travel home safely ahead of the snowfall, the General Assembly was adjourned early, and bill stance deliberations were postponed.

Students are encouraged to register for the February MASC Virtual Executive Board Meeting, where the legislation will be discussed and official stances will be debated and voted on.

During the Legislative Session, students also heard from the nominees for Student Member on the State Board of Education, participated in a question-and-answer session, and engaged in regional meetings. Following these activities, students selected the top two nominees. Their names have been submitted to the Governor, who will appoint one student to serve on the State Board of Education for the 2026–2027 term.

Congratulations to our final nominees, Ibiola David Arowolo and Lorena Wu! Click on the Legislative Session graphic to learn more about each.

Registration closes February 6th

Exciting Updates for the 2026 Convention!

The 2026 MASC Convention will again be utilizing walkable hotels, and all activities will take place at the spacious Ocean City Convention Center, offering a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Click on the graphic to see detailed information about the schedule booking your hotel, necessary paperwork, and the registration link.

Applications Open January 12, 2026

Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026.

Students interested in running for a MASC office should carefully review all qualifications, examine the draft 2026–2027 calendar to understand the time commitment, and discuss transportation plans with their parents. While executive board meetings do offer a virtual option, officers are expected to attend in person whenever possible.

Saturday, February 14, 2026

VIRTUAL ONLY

Registration Deadline: 5:00 p.m., February 12

MASC’s third executive board meeting for the school year is approaching. At this virtual meeting, students will hear introductions of the 2026-27 MASC officer candidates, discuss Maryland General Assembly youth-related bills, and vote on the bill stances.

MASC-appointed staff, regional presidents, regional 2nd VPs/MS representatives, and SMOB’s are all voting members of the MASC Executive Board, however, any interested student leader is invited to attend. This meeting is a virtual Zoom meeting and students can register themselves!

Interested in hosting a MASC Event in 2026–2027! Bids are now open—submit a formal presentation to host the Fall Leadership Conference or State Convention, or complete a simple application for the September Workshop Presenter Certification or December Executive Board Meeting. MASC will continue hearing bids at the February 14, 2026 Executive Board meeting!

MASC is your gateway to recognition and awards for outstanding leadership. Don't wait - get started on the nomination process for the middle and high school principal, advisor, and regional advisor of the year awards.

Don't forget about the prestigious Felix Simon Award for Leadership and Service. The school completes this application and goes directly to MASC. This is a recognition award for school student councils.

Note: Outstanding Student Leader Recognition due 5:00 p.m., March 1, 2026

6:30-7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 26, 2026

This 30-minute fireside chat dives into the art of guiding middle and high school student council leaders as they navigate the transition from classroom learners to campus representatives. We’ll discuss how to provide the right "guardrails" for adolescent autonomy, helping you mentor young leaders to manage school spirit and service projects while building lifelong leadership confidence.

Mark your calendar - the registration for this short webinar is linked to the graphic.

Advocacy Week is a designated time for MASC regions to travel to Annapolis to meet with legislators and advocate for youth-related bills. During the visit, students may have opportunities to testify at committee hearings, observe a session of the General Assembly, and enjoy some sightseeing in our state’s capital.

While MASC highlights this period as Advocacy Week, regions are welcome to schedule their visit on any day during the legislative session that best fits their needs and the availability of their legislators.

MASC is excited to chaperone a small delegation (students entering grades 8-12 in the fall of 2026) to the National Vision Leadership Conference!

The conference will be hosted by Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire,

Registration closes May 15, 2026 (MASC deadline: May 10). An advisor must register students as part of a school (and the school advisor must attend) or join the state delegation.

The MASC delegation will arrive on June 21, attend the Sunday evening pre-conference social, and depart at the conclusion of the conference.

The Student Member on the Maryland State Board of Education gives students a voice in shaping education policy statewide. This year’s State SMOB, O’Marie Barnes of Crossland High School in Prince George’s County, is leading efforts to expand student engagement and amplify student voices.

Invite the SMOB to your school/event, sign up for the monthly newsletter, read the newsletter, share a concern or issue, or apply for the SMOB Advisory Council.

Have you ever shopped at a thrift store? With spring cleaning approaching, your school can collect gently used items for a designated thrift store—and earn money at the same time. A FUNDrive® fundraiser requires no selling, just community donations, and schools typically earn around $600 while supporting their student programs.

Check out this two-page FLYER that quickly explains the program.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid. The FAFSA form can also connect students to grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans. FAFSA funds can help pay for more than 4-year college expenses; they can help pay for Community College, Vocational & Technical Schools, Career Training Programs, Study Abroad Experiences, and more! Every student should fill out the FAFSA form, even if they are unsure about their future plans.

Grab a guardian and head over to fafsa.gov to get started today! Maryland's FAFSA submission deadline is March 1, 2026.

The National Association of Student Councils (NASC) is the oldest and largest organization supporting middle and high school student councils and their advisors. NASC offers programs and opportunities for student leaders to connect, grow, and make an impact.

Is your school a member of the National Association of Student Councils (NASC)? NASC offers great programs and opportunities for your student leaders: Check it out!

Distinguished Student Leaders: High School Students:

https://www.natstuco.org/leadership-development/distinguished-student-leader-program/

Emerging Student Leaders: Middle School

https://www.natstuco.org/leadership-development/emerging-student-leader-program/

The NASC Handbook is an essential resource for student council advisers, offering practical guidance, templates, and best practices. From planning elections to organizing events and developing leaders, it provides step-by-step support to build a strong, effective, and inclusive council.. DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY and keep it handy all year long!

#1 - 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Strengthening Student Relationships and Resilience in a Digital World

#2: 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2026: Creating Safe & Supportive Digital Spaces for Students –

#3: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026:

Teaching Digital Responsibility (Not Restriction)

• A great resource shared by the Nevada State Executive Director. Good lessons/resources about responding to crisis Learning to Give
• Scott Backovich, founder ENVOLVE (Great speaker! He has been at our MASC Convention!). See the PDF document below to download a lot of cool February activity ideas!
  
• Youth Serve America (YSA) partners nationwide to expand volunteer opportunities for youth ages 5–25. They offer service ideas, project-sharing, grants, and more. Sign up for their weekly briefings—an excellent resource!
• Omella helps schools collect payments for things like concessions, fundraisers, dances, and events — without contracts or monthly fees. Schools keep 100% of what they raise, with optional tips covering costs, and students/parents always have a free way to pay.
  They're currently offering schools a free Omella card reader (no hardware cost).
  > One-page overview (PDF) (see below)
  >Short video overview:Every School Struggles With This — So We Built a Card Reader for K–12

  >Learn more: https://omella.com

  >Questions / demos: brett@omella.com

A Parade of Ideas, the official NA4SA newsletter, is published several times a year and features national opportunities along with conference and training recaps. Click the graphic to view past issues, visit the webpage, and subscribe.

• Academy Level I Deadline: February 9 - There is still time to register for the NA4SA Academy! The program is designed to provide activity advisors, leadership teachers, and leadership program staff with the professional development they need to succeed, offering both general and context-specific learning beyond NA4SA’s annual conference.. (Karen Crawford participated in the pilot program in 2023 - EXCELLENT!) Link to FLYER / Link to Program Overview / Direct link to register

Webinar: February 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. — Leadership Book Share

Do you have a new—or long-time favorite—leadership book to recommend? Or are you looking for fresh ideas to inspire your students? Join this informal sharing session to explore what your colleagues are reading and learn how they’re incorporating these books into their leadership programs.

• RESOURCES- One of the Operational Principles under the NA4SA Strategic Plan is to "Share Resources and Ideas". In particular, "we will become the primary national organization through which Student Activity professionals discover, collaborate, and share the valuable RESOURCES and IDEAS through which they develop the next generation of student leaders." You can always access these resources - by student activity advisors for student activity advisors!

7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 2026 – What’s This Meetup About? This month, we’re digging into how you show up online — and how to make sure it actually reflects you, not just what gets clicks. Whether you’re curating your feed, navigating Finstas, or trying to keep it real on social media, this meetup is all about owning your identity — without the pressure to perform.

Coming up: 7:00 p.m,, Sunday, March 1, 2026 - Digital Empowerment: Use Your Voice, Own Your Space – What if your phone were a tool for change, creativity, and confidence? This month focuses on digital empowerment—using tech to find your voice, create impact, and uplift others. Student speakers will share how they’ve taken charge of their digital presence and how you can do the same.

The Buzz on Civics: Writing a Winning Essay

Maryland middle school educators, administrators and community partners: the student essay is the first big step in entering the 2026 National Civics Bee®. This is a student's chance to showcase their ideas, creativity and understanding.

Check out the official Student Essay Guide for examples and brainstorming prompts. Essay submissions accepted through Feb. 3, 2026.

Civic Learning Week highlights the important role civic education and participation play in strengthening our democracy. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, being civically engaged and working together to strengthen our communities is more important than ever.

The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) believes young people have the power to create change. That’s why we’re launching The Power of We creativity contest, inviting teens across the country to share how working together for the common good makes communities stronger.

Click on the graphic for details.

Check out these scholarships....

The Horatio Alger Association supports deserving young people who are overcoming significant challenges and are committed to pursuing higher education. This scholarship is open to current juniors.

Click on the graphic for information!

Basic Requirements: US citizen, family income of $100.000 or less, be involved in co-curricular and community service activities, GPA of at least 2.0, display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States immediately after high school graduation (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)

To JUNIORS: The Association awards # $25,000 National Scholarships and State $10,000 scholarships. Deadline March 1.

To SENIORS: $10,000 to $52,000 scholarships to specific colleges and universities across the United States. Deadline February 15.

• Hispanic American Commitment to Education Resources (HACER) Scholarship: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/community/hacer.html (deadline February 17, 2026)
  
• Black & Positively Golden Scholarship: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/black-and-positively-golden/education.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18781295273&gbraid=0AAAAADepKq3z-WW9CPCB6nLxsMr8lnffh&gclid=Cj0KCQiArt_ (Deadline April 24, 2026)
• Asian Pacific American (APA) Next Scholarship: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/asian-pacific-americans/en/education/scholarships.html (2026-2027 scholarships now open)
  
• Archways to Opportunity: https://www.archwaystoopportunity.com/ (scholarships open to students who work at McDonald's)

H2O for Life Mini-Grants - Rolling Deadline: These mini-grants of up to $500 are meant to be a supportive resource for teachers and students who want to kick-start their H2O for Life service-learning projects. Mini-grants will be awarded to assist teachers and students with the funds needed for their service-learning program.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Students, parents, and college/career professionals are encouraged to tune in for information on creating a StudentAid.gov account, paying for college and career school, and avoiding financial aid scams

Do you need financial aid for college? Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) is Maryland's Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) comprehensive financial aid system that allows the process of State scholarship applications and allocating of funds more efficiently using today's technology.

(Also see the Youth Service America article in the Other Events and Opportunities section - they share a lot of grant opportunities!)

Follow MASC on Social Media

Don’t miss a thing! Follow MASC on social media for the latest updates, leadership opportunities, and student council highlights from across the state.

Support MASC by making a donation today. Your contribution helps expand leadership opportunities and programs for student councils across Maryland.

Until February 14th, support us by purchasing a Domino's Slice the Price Card - you win, we win!! Good until February 14th. See the article at the beginning of this bulletin.