OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Oskaloosa High School’s student council has earned a place among the nation’s elite, receiving the 2025 National Gold Council of Excellence Award from the National Association of Student Councils, a prestigious honor recognizing just nine student councils statewide for outstanding leadership, service and innovation.
For the 11th consecutive year, Oskaloosa’s student council has been recognized as a National Gold Council of Excellence, an honor that acknowledges the highest standard of student leadership in the country. According to senior Cooper Rupprecht, the application process was no small task.
“There was an application form where we had to gather a lot of detailed information, and then we submitted three of our projects to be evaluated,” Rupprecht said. “We chose our state project, our Veterans Day event, and the football concession stand fundraiser.”
This award distinguishes Oskaloosa from hundreds of other councils nationwide, particularly through its elevated status. Jonah DeVore, a sophomore council member, explained the difference.
“There are two levels, Council of Excellence and Gold Council of Excellence,” DeVore said. “Very few get the Gold. Only nine councils in the state received it this year. It shows we’re one of the best.”
The recognition is not just about the quantity of work, but the quality and consistency of Oskaloosa’s efforts. Senior Ava Ridenour attributes the council’s success to a culture of mentorship and expectations set by their longtime advisor, Kim Gile.
“It starts with Mrs. Gile,” Ridenour said. “She pushes us to do well, and we have so many student leaders who are passionate, not just about school events, but about improving our school and community culture.”
Their council’s structure is unique in its blend of size and effectiveness. With nearly 80 student members, Oskaloosa balances breadth with depth.
“Some councils are big but don’t do much. Others are small but highly active,” DeVore said. “We have the best of both worlds. Our members are engaged, hardworking, and driven.”
That drive extends into friendly competition within the council itself. Sophomore Jhon Vicente-Gomez noted that healthy rivalries help raise the bar even higher.
“There’s a little bit of rivalry in elections and leadership roles,” he said. “It pushes everyone to do better, to be more involved.”
While this year’s award adds another accolade to Oskaloosa’s already impressive résumé, the tradition runs deep. Rupprecht said the school has received the Gold Council of Excellence designation for the past decade and even earlier in previous years. According to the students, only a handful of schools in the nation can claim such a consistent record.
“We’re one of the very few councils in the state to get this award year after year,” Rupprecht said.
Looking ahead, the students are already working toward their next recognition, Honor Council with Meritorious Distinction, which involves compiling a comprehensive scrapbook of the council’s year and is submitted to the Iowa Association of Student Councils.
“It’s like a yearbook for the student council,” Rupprecht said. “It includes every project, every event, how we’re organized. It shows everything. It gets submitted to be evaluated at the state level.”
Beyond the awards, Oskaloosa’s presence is also felt at both the state and national levels. DeVore shared that the council currently has two state officers and a district officer. Ridenour previously served as a state officer, and advisor Kim Gile also serves as the executive director of the Iowa Association of Student Councils.
At the national level, Oskaloosa maintains representation through student leadership and is preparing to campaign for future positions.
“We have one representative nationally,” DeVore said. “And in two years, when Iowa’s spot opens again, we hope to run someone.”
The combination of two strong advisors, Jodi Steinlage and Kim Gile, deeply committed students, and a culture of service and leadership has built a student council program that’s more than just a résumé builder, and it’s a powerhouse of purpose.
The Gold Council of Excellence designation isn’t just a recognition of achievement, it’s a reflection of the heart, dedication, and teamwork that defines the Oskaloosa Student Council. With a decade of excellence behind them, the council continues to raise the bar through leadership, service, and school spirit. Senior Ava Ridenour shared her gratitude on behalf of the team: “We just want to thank the community for their unconditional support and involvement in the activities we put on. Whether it’s through donations or time spent helping us bring events to life, we truly couldn’t do it without you.”
