MASC April 2026 Bulletin

Graphics in this bulletin are links!

Are you ready to make a difference? MASC is a student-led organization representing school student councils across Maryland, and we are looking for dedicated leaders to join our Appointed Staff for the 2026-2027 school year. Serving on staff is a rewarding, year-long commitment that puts you at the heart of student advocacy. Help shape the future of student leadership in Maryland. We are looking for students prepared to commit their time and energy to active involvement throughout the upcoming school year.

Please review the application requirements carefully. A complete submission includes:

• Student Application
• Parent Confirmation
• School Advisor Confirmation
• Principal Confirmation
• Adult Recommendation

All materials (via Google Forms) must be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2026.

The National Student Council (NSC) is an assembly of elected and appointed student leaders across the United States. The one-year term on NSC includes representation from 25 states. This position is filled via appointment by each state’s student council association every other year. It serves as an advocate for students’ voices at the federal level, ensuring that their diverse perspectives and interests are integral to discussions surrounding education, schools, educators, and their futures.

• This position is only open to rising juniors and seniors (NSC requirement).
• Deadline 5:00 p.m., April 17, 2026.
• Click on the NatStuCo graphic for more information.

Interested in hosting a MASC Event in 2026–2027! Bids are 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 May 16, 2026 Executive Board meeting!

Questions? Email MASC's executive director at Karen.Crawford@mdstudentcouncils.org

There is no Special Edition Newsletter this month, but please check out the April Green Goals prepared by the MASC's Environmental Coordinators by clicking on the graphic!

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 is hosted by Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire and the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors (NASSCED).

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

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

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.

MASC is able to appoint two students to the Maryland Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) every year - serving a two year term. Must be 14 years old by September 1st - through rising juniors. Sorry, MASC cannot appoint a rising senior as this is a two year term.

Deadline: 5:00 p.m., June 15, 2026. Check out the website for details.

6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 21

Join the Wellness Coordinators for an engaging and interactive session focused on checking in with your physical and mental health in order to effectively tackle burnout experienced during the 2nd semester.

Whether you’re passionate about personal wellness or just curious to learn more, this webinar is for you! Bring a friend, get inspired, and leave feeling motivated to accomplish your goals!

7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – This is an informative virtual forum tailored for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders to learn about AIMS and MASC.

During the year, the AIMS Forum provides a platform for middle school students to share ideas about school projects, activities, and issues. It is also a great opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, fun group sessions, and hear from guest speakers – AIMS: created just for middle schoolers.

Stay up to date with the MASC calendar! Bookmark this webpage, which is updated throughout the year with new webinars and special events. Linked on the MASC website (events and conferences), this calendar will be updated throughout the year with webinars and other important events.

Calling all appointed staff, regional leaders, and passionate student leaders across Maryland! Join us for MASC’s last Executive Board meeting of the school year. Hear end-of-the-year reports from officers, staff, the state SMOB, and regional representatives, and help us recognize our seniors!

In addition, MASC will hear bid presentations for hosting the Fall Leadership Conference (November 2026) and/or the MASC Convention (April 2027) if any completed applications are submitted. We can’t wait to see your bids and ideas!

Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW) is BACK for another summer of transformative youth leadership development!

MLW is a residential experience designed to help young people recognize and realize their potential as leaders. Through a powerful week of community-building, interactive workshops, one-on-one coaching, and meaningful projects, delegates leave with the confidence & skills to make a real difference in their schools and communities.

Want to see MLW in action? Explore our impact and program experience in this brief overview deck.

Applications are now open at mlw.org/apply. Programs fill quickly — encourage your student leaders to apply today!

Celebrate your student leaders during National Student Leadership Week, April 20-24, 2026, "Serving Forward:Students Leading Positive Change." See the NASC website to explore ideas for showing your student leaders that their effort and impact are valued and appreciated. https://www.studentleadershipweek.org/

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It's not too late to have your student leaders apply for this great recognition from the National Association of Student Councils (NASC):

• 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!

6:30 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026

This 30-minute session guides advisors through a strategic review of the current year to identify successes and areas for growth. You will gain practical frameworks for evaluating student impact and establishing a clear, actionable roadmap for the 2026–2027 school year.

Many advisors have reached out asking how MASC manages the Student Member of the Board (SMOB) and Officer elections. MASC uses ElectionBuddy to manage our state-level officer and SMOB elections. Whether you need a simple majority vote or a preferential ranking system for larger candidate pools, ElectionBuddy makes it easy to:

• Customize Ballots: Use multiple voting methods in one election.

• Increase Participation: Students can vote instantly via phone or laptop.

• Ensure Accuracy: Automated results save time and reduce errors.

The Youth Service America has a lot of great resources and grants information centered around service – great for student councils, National Honor Society, and National Junior Honor Society. Check it out. If you don't subscribe to their briefings, sign up today!

The Lead4Change Core Curriculum is designed to help students develop essential life skills and apply them through powerful, real-world service projects. If you’re looking for a way to bring leadership to life in your classroom, Lead4Change provides a simple, flexible framework to help students take action on what matters most.

Explore their FREE curriculum!

Explore.Act.Tell. is a student-led service learning program that empowers young people to understand food insecurity, take meaningful action, and tell their stories to inspire others and enter to win a grant.

Grant Opportunities: The deadline for the grant competition is May 15th. We will be awarding numerous grants of up to $5,000 each to support and further student efforts to end hunger in their communities.

Already Working on a Project? If any of your educators have already completed a project this year focused on food insecurity, they are already done with the hardest part! Email me and our team can assist them with the final pieces needed for their submission so they can enter to win a grant to expand their impact.

Get Started This Spring: For those looking to start a new project this season, this linked flyer has more details and steps to get started.

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.

It's never too early - mark your calendar to attend the National Conference on Student Activities - so close in Pittsburgh, PA!

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SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT | 7:30 p.m., Wednesday April 22, 2026

The Speaker Spotlight gives activity professionals the chance to preview dynamic presenters, discover new talent, and find the perfect fit for your school or program. Come ready to be inspired and leave with a list of speakers who can make a real impact on your program!
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xsMYBPzASTqJw3cghion1Q#/registration

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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. (https://na4sa.org/newsletter/index.html)

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• 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!

MASC is happy to help spread the word for organizations looking for student representation and involvement. Check out the opportunities by clicking on the graphic above.

Action by May 1: The State Superintendent's Fine Arts Education Advisory Panel is looking for a student representative for the 2026-2027 school year. If you are passionate about music, dance, theatre, visual art, and/or media arts- this is a great role for you! The panel meets 4 times a year virtually to engage in meaningful discussion where a student voice is highly valued. Fill out the form linked in the graphiic by May 1 to be considered.

Reach out to Rachel McGrain at rmcgrain@aems-edu.org with any questions.

Three amazing webinars coming up -

Future of Digital Citizenship: What Kind of Internet Are You Building?

7:00 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2026

The digital world moves fast — but how we act in it matters even more. It’s not just about safety or etiquette — it’s about power, influence, impact, and making online spaces smarter, kinder, and more inclusive.

Mental Health Month: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 3, 2026

Let’s stop pretending we’re fine when we’re not. From burnout and anxiety to healing and asking for help, our student speakers will keep it honest about what they’ve faced — and what’s helped them get through it.

Internet Safety: Stay Smart, Stay Safe, Stay You

7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2026

The internet is your space to connect, create, and be seen — but it’s also where things can go sideways fast. We’re keeping it real about what it takes to stay safe online: protecting your data, setting boundaries, spotting red flags, and knowing what to do when something feels off. No fear tactics — just facts, tools, and student-led advice.

Check out these scholarships....

College isn't for everyone - current high school seniors and non-traditional students interested in pursing an associate's degree or certificate program should check out this great scholarship.

To qualify for the Career and Technical Education scholarship, a applicant must:

• Have completed high school (or equivalency) by July 1
• Plan to attend a not-for-profit community college or trade/vocational school
• Enroll in an associate's degree, certificate, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment
• May not be enrolled in pre-requisite courses
• Be under the age of 35
• Be a United state citizen

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is impact-driven and open to all applicants who meet the GPA and citizenship requirements, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation or any other background factors. Integrity, intelligence, motivation, work ethic, and willingness to serve others are the strongest indicators of a worthy educational investment.

15 scholarships awarded per annum

Four-year, full tuition scholarship (actual dollar amount varies based upon school selection)

Freedom in choice of school and area of study

Deadline: 3:00 p.m., May 1, 2026 (Important: They review on a rolling basis. Accepting a total of 3,000 completed and eligible applications and will close the app when they reach 3,000 or on May 1st, whichever occurs first.

• 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)

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.

Deadline – April 29, 2026.

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.

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.

Also - see the Youth Serve America (YSA) site - they always advertise service-related grants!

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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.

• 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.

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