Gilbert High Students Lead Statewide Student Council Conference
Gilbert High Students Lead Statewide Student Council Conference
Tristan Chavez
GILBERT, Ariz. (February 9, 2026) — Gilbert High School recently hosted the Arizona Association of Student Councils (AASC) State Convention, welcoming 1,800 students from 137 schools across the state for 3 days of leadership training, networking, and collaboration. Held January 29-31, 2026, the convention is AASC’s premier annual event, celebrating student councils, advisors, and administrators, while providing a platform for leadership development and the election of the new State Board.
Gilbert High’s Student Council (STUCO), or Leadership Development, course includes 79 students across 9th through 12th grade. Students serve in roles such as class officers, committee heads, and student body officers, organizing school events, homecoming, pep assemblies, and community service projects. The program emphasizes developing leadership skills, collaboration, and student voice, preparing students to take on significant responsibilities both in school and beyond.
To host the convention, Gilbert High and its STUCO students completed an extensive two-year application process. The application included a full event proposal, detailed logistics for housing and transportation, venue capacity, vendor coordination, and approval from both school and district leadership. After submitting the application, Gilbert High presented its vision at the 2024 state convention, competing against other schools applying to host. Their plan and preparation won the statewide vote, granting them the opportunity to showcase their leadership and school community.
“This has been an immense sense of pride,” said Kenya Corrigan, Gilbert High’s Student Council advisor. “Our students led this process from the very beginning - developing the vision, coordinating logistics, securing approvals, and planning every detail. Even with two years of preparation, there were challenges we could have never anticipated, and the students handled everything flawlessly. They were able to use their leadership and communication skills in real time, modeling what it means to be a leader for the entire state.”
Gilbert High student leaders played important roles in every component of the conference. From emceeing general sessions, coordinating hospitality, and managing logistics, to overseeing performances, decorations, and student activities, Gilbert High students completed extensive work behind the scenes to host nearly 2,000 people in addition to the over 2,200 students who attend the school.
“Even now, it’s hard to process how many students were on our campus,” said Landon Hendrickson, Senior Class Vice President. “Planning something this big taught us how to manage people, solve problems quickly, and support each other when things didn’t go as planned. Seeing everyone come together was powerful.”
Holli Fox, ASB President, reflected on the challenges and rewards. “Not everything went perfectly, but our team adjusted, problem-solved, and finished strong. It was stressful at times, but it was also incredibly memorable. I’m really proud of how our students handled the responsibility.”
Ava Stephens, ASB Vice President of Legislation, added, “Watching students from across Arizona enjoy something we spent years planning was amazing. People talked about how much they loved the experience, and that meant a lot to us.”
Student Council members enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, credit the IB approach with helping them develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that they applied to planning and hosting the statewide convention.
“IB classes teach you to think critically and understand why you’re doing the work,” said Jaxsen Thompson, Student Body Historian and IB English student. “That mindset transfers directly into leadership, especially when you’re planning something complex like this conference.”
Other students noted that IB coursework emphasizes responsibility, creativity, and communication - skills they relied on heavily throughout the planning and execution of the convention.
STUCO students also referenced support from other GPS schools and the town of Gilbert as contributing to the success of the event. Parents, staff, administrators, and students from other GPS high schools - including Campo Verde, Desert Ridge, Highland, and Mesquite - volunteered to help with decorations, logistics, and clean-up. Visitors to the campus also experienced performances, student showcases, and activities highlighting the Gilbert community, including local landmarks and businesses.
“This truly was a family effort,” shared Kenya Corrigan. “Everyone bought into the vision. There were countless moments when something needed to be done, and it was already handled. That’s the spirit of Gilbert.”
Even while planning and hosting the statewide convention, Gilbert High’s Student Council continued its regular service to the school and community. The council was also recognized as an Outstanding Council of Distinction, marking the fourth consecutive year the group has earned the state’s highest honor.
“Through all the chaos and excitement, our students still did what they always do - they served their school and community,” the advisor said. “That consistency speaks volumes about who they are.”
By successfully hosting Arizona’s premier student leadership event, Gilbert High School demonstrated how strong academics, student leadership, and community support come together to prepare students for success in college, careers, and life beyond high school.
To learn more about Gilbert High, including information about clubs like STUCO and programs like IB, visit Gilbert.GilbertSchools.net.
