The decibel levels at the McNutt Campus Center on the William Woods University campus registered at higher levels than normal on Monday as high school students from across the state joined together for a pep rally, kicking off the Missouri Association of Student Councils' annual summer workshop.
Dressed in a hot dog costume, Jessica Burgess, a student from Pattonville High School in the St. Louis region, danced on stage with her friends, dressed in ketchup bottle, banana and shark costumes among others. She told sections of teenagers to cheer, competing to see who could create the loudest and register the highest number on her decibel meter. MASC Executive Director said the pep rally gives the students ideas to bring back to their schools.
William Woods has hosted the MASC summer workshop since 1964, Johnson said. Through its programs, the workshop is designed to promote leadership skills in the students. The week is full of team-building activities, service learning and meetings focusing on goal setting, project planning, organization, management and leadership styles.
The camp runs through Friday, and also includes community-based events. On Tuesday, the more than 740 students at the workshop will host a free carnival from 2-4 p.m. Children and their families are welcome to the William Woods campus for booth games, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones. At the carnival, patrons donate to Special Olympics by "adopting" one or more rubber ducks that will race across William Woods' Senior Lake on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Last year, MASC raised more than $4,000 for Special Olympics through its annual duck race. To adopt a duck, call MASC at (816) 261-7079.