Lindbergh, Northwest Student Councils Rock Out at Convention

The large poster at the back of the Timberland High School cafeteria said it all:

If you want to view Paradise
Simply turn around and view it
Anything you want to do, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it . . .

With the energy generated by more than 1200 student leaders bouncing off Timberland's walls Saturday, those last two lines from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory were more promise than poetry.

The Gateway Student Council Convention of the Missouri Association of Student Councils provided a day of inspirational speakers, skits and discussion groups for the students and their advisors.

As president of the association and the hosting school, Timberland's student council chose the Willy Wonka theme and decorated their halls with candy cut-outs and lines from the movie.

The day kicked off with opening ceremonies and welcomes from Wentzville School District Superintendent Dr. Terry Adams and Wentzville Mayor Paul Lambi.

Schools competing for offices in the association performed skits in the gym. Efforts like the "Thriller Dance," performed by Hazelwood West and Northwest High's military-inspired drill were met with thunderous applause. When the skits were over, Shiver Bear from the Missouri Special Olympics took the floor to the music for the "Cupid Shuffle." Immediately, students began pouring from the bleachers to join him in the dance.

The crowd then broke into smaller groups to attend discussions on topics ranging from "Homecoming on a Budget" to "How to Run a Meeting" to "Underwear Wars."

The Gateway District is open to all public and private middle, junior and senior high schools in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County and Jefferson County.

Local middle schools participating in Saturday's event were:

• Sperreng Middle School
• Truman Middle School

Download the movie