Texas High School's Susan Waldrep has won a national award recognizing her as the top student council adviser in the country.
She said she was quite surprised to be chosen from eight nationwide nominees as the winner of the Warren E. Shull Award during the National Association of Student Councils Conference, held this week in Plymouth, Minn.
"It took me a little bit to realize they were talking about me," she said. "It was very surprising and a huge honor, but you know, working for TISD for all these years, I have had fabulous administrators who support student leadership. I have had the kids who have wanted to work really hard and originated the cool projects and I am kind of getting the benefits for all that."
Waldrep said she also received a text Tuesday from a former student who told her he understood things in his college class that others didn't because he had been exposed to the topics while working on student council projects.
"Our kids, when they leave, they know how to think and put together projects and run things. They do a fabulous job and I really appreciate them. They're the reason I got that award. We have great kids and great administrators and we have people who are willing to work and make sure our students are successful."
The Warren E. Shull Award is given to the high school student council adviser who demonstrates exemplary character, leadership and commitment to young people and their development as student leaders. Shull founded NASC in 1931.
Waldrep has served as Texas High's leadership teacher and student activities coordinator for the past 17 years and has guided her council to 10 consecutive National Gold Council of Excellence Awards and 30 consecutive District 19 Sweepstakes Awards. Additionally, the Texas High School Student Council has served in all officer positions at the district level, as well as Texas Association of Student Councils president, vice president and Conference Coordinator School.
Waldrep's leadership has been recognized through her selection as District 19 Adviser of the Year in 2011, Past President Adviser, District Coordinator for 2014-16, TASC's Eddie G. Bull State Adviser of the Year and NASC's Warren E. Shull State nominee and Regional nominee representing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Texas.
She is the third Texan since 1990 to receive the award.