Message from the MASC Director

Uniting Montana’s Student Leaders!

My name is Ryan Anderson and I am currently the student government advisor and an English teacher at Charles M. Russell High School in Great Falls, MT. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve student council members and advisors across Montana as the MASC Executive Director. MASC is and will always be a work-in-progress – always growing, evolving, and changing. One of the MASC Executive Board’s goals, as well as my own, is to respond to the needs of our local student council members and advisors across the state. To that end, we need your help. If you have suggestions that might help guide MASC in its efforts to support student councils, please let us know. The MASC Executive Board is working diligently to accomplish the goals it established in the past couple of years. But there is much that can be done in an organization like ours.

With many opportunities for growth ahead of us, we invite you to be a partner in that growth. Please contact your district advisor or me at any time with ideas, questions, or concerns. I am willing to serve you in any way that I can. I hope to meet many of you personally and look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for your support as we continue this leadership journey together.

Ryan Anderson
406-268-6166

Conferences

“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” – John Maxwell

68th Annual MASC Conference

Helena, Montana – Leadership In The Capital – October 15-17, 2023

This conference will be a ‘hotel conference,’ with a number of area properties offering special rates for school delegations participating. 

MASC School Membership Application 2023-24: 

Dues are $125 per school per year. If your school hasn’t been to the conference in at least five (5) years, we want you back! Your school’s fee will be waived! Sign your school up so you can attend the state conference!

2023 Conference Forms and Online Registration Link 

Online 2023 MASC School Registration.  Advisors only need to submit one registration form for all the students they are registering! If a paper form is necessary please download this PDF:

2023 MASC Participant Commitment form – each student participant coming to the conference must complete this form.

Advisor Commitment form – (all Advisors must complete)

Business Session Resolution Form 2023 – Students are welcome to write a resolution for the MASC business session to consider during its session during the conference.

The 2023 MASC Challenge – [COMING SOON] Schools participating in the conference are encouraged to make a donation to the Montana Make-A-Wish Foundation. MASC has sponsored this challenge for years, providing tens of thousands of dollars to this inspiring statewide charity. Some schools raise money for the foundation, while others donate some of their school funds to the cause. However your school approaches this activity, MASC Challenges you and your school to help this worthwhile charity! Recognition for school contributions are made during the conference. There will also be some “Bucket Challenges” during the conference. Participants are encouraged to bring small bills and change to contribute into their district’s bucket during the “Bucket Challenges!”

Speaker Archive:

2018 Keynote Speakers

David Edward Garcia – Youth Motivational Comedian
Kent Julian – Youth Motivational Comedian
Sheri Winn – Olympian, Speaker, Coach, and Author
Craig Beals – 2015 Montana Teacher of the Year, Science Teacher
Bill Coon – Speaker and Author

Pre-2018:

• Abdul Wright (2017 Keynote Speaker)
• Prior to 2017:
  • Jeff Ewelt: Zoo Montana
  • Lance Lanning: bullying
  • Aaron Davis: Attitude and how it affects your life (2005, 2016)
  • Stu Shaffer – An expert on student involvement and activities (2011, 2016)
  • Harriet Turk: http://harrietturk.com/
  • Scott Backovich: scottbackovich.com
  • Judson Laipply: www.judsonlaipply.com
  • John Beede (2012 Keynote Speaker)

Any questions? Please click on the Contact Us link in the top menu bar of this website and our Executive Director or one of the Executive Committee members will help you out!

Explore your leadership potential! High-achieving students who are ready to step forward as leaders are welcome to join us at the following conferences throughout the year. At these events, students are inspired and empowered to enhance their critical leadership skills through the hands-on practice of communication, conflict resolution, decision making, goal setting, project planning, team building and more!

In these programs, join your high-achieving peers from throughout the region and the nation to gain the real-world leadership experiences and skills you need to succeed in college and in your future career. You will be empowered to emerge as an influential voice in your community, state and even at the national level. Explore your interests, enlarge your perspective and hone the skills you need to become an influential leader in the 21st century. Attending these programs gives students the edge they need to continue on the path to success in high school, in college, in future careers and throughout life. Attending and participating at these conferences offers motivated students the opportunity to discover new passions, realize strengths, and plan for the future. We hope to see you there!

Past MASC Conference Hosts and Themes

• Coming in 2023, Helena
• 2022 (fall), Great Falls: :Discover Your Leadership”
• 2022 (spring), Glendive: “Great Leaders in the Badlands!”
• 2020, 2021 – No In-Person Conferences – COVID Pandemic
• 2019, Belgrade/Bozeman: Theme TBD
• 2018, Laurel and Park City: “UnMASC Your Inner Leader”
• 2017, Helena: “Capitalize Upon Your Leadership!”
• 2016, Glasgow: “S.C.A.R.E.: Student Councils Aspiring to Reach Excellence!”
• 2015, Great Falls: “Electrify Your Leadership!”
• 2014, Laurel: “MASC: Color Outside the Lines”
• 2013,
• 2012, Helena: “Leadership: The Ultimate Journey”
• 2011, Glasgow: “The Drive for Leadership!”
• 2010, Great Falls: “Wild About Leadership!”
• 2004, Helena: “Rockin’ 50 Years of Leadership!” 50th Annual State Convention
• 2002, Lewistown: “What if…? The Possibilities Are Endless”

Scholarships

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

The Horatio Alger Association has designated one of their scholarships to be awarded to a student leader whose school is both an NASC member and a member of the state student council organization. The NASC scholarship requires answering additional questions specific to student leadership. When completing the online application, students will be prompted to answer additional questions when they indicate they are members of student council.

Application deadlines can be viewed on the website. Applicants must meet the Horatio Alger Foundation scholarship criteria (there are special requirements for Montana students) to be eligible and must demonstrate integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. Please share this information with your Guidance Department and student leaders who you feel may qualify for this outstanding scholarship opportunity.

Horatio Alger Scholarship

One Scholarship, Endless Opportunities – receive up to $21,000 for college!

One Scholarship, Endless Opportunities – receive up to $21,000 for college!

Montana Scholarship recipients must attend the University of Montana or one of its affiliates, which include: University of Montana at Missoula, Missoula College, Helena College, Montana Tech at Butte, The University of Montana Western at Dillon or Montana State University or one of its affiliates, which include:

Montana State University at Bozeman
Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Northern at Havre
Great Falls College MSU

Learn more, visit the Horatio Alger scholarship website