celebrate student leaders

Celebrating student leaders is a powerful expression of gratitude and recognition for their unwavering dedication, passion, and drive in making a difference within your school, community, and the world.

Explore ideas for showing your student leaders that their efforts and impact are valued and appreciated:

  • Elevate their stories
  • Celebrate accomplishments
  • Involve your community
  • Focus on service

OUR STORY

More than 50 years of Celebrating & championing student leaders

In 1972, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) worked with President Richard Nixon’s administration to declare September 26 National Student Government Day—the predecessor of National Student Leadership Week.

In 1972, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)—the founding organization of the National Student Council and National Honor Society—worked with President Richard Nixon’s administration to declare September 26 National Student Government Day

National Student Government Day was moved to the spring in 1975 as part of the preparations for the United States Bicentennial.

In 1979, it was renamed National Student Leadership Day to include all student leaders in student government, honor societies, campus clubs, and beyond.

The day was extended into a week-long celebration in 1983. It was named National Student Leadership Week and chaired by Terrell Bell, US Secretary of Education.

National Student Leadership Week chaired by Anson Williams, best known for his role as Warren “Potsie” Weber on the television series Happy Days (1974–1984).

President George H.W. Bush writes a welcome letter for NASSP’s Leadership for Student Activities magazine, kicking off the 1990 National Student Leadership Week celebration.

NASSP teams up with Youth Service America to create the theme ‘Service Leadership’ for National Student Leadership Week 1994.

NASSP teams up with Earth Force to create the theme ‘Environmental Leadership’ for National Student Leadership Week 1995.

NASSP teams up with AARP to create the theme ‘Celebrate Generations Working Together’ for National Student Leadership Week 1997.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 1998 is Leadership Through Service.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 1999 is Look for Leadership Within.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2000 is United We Stand.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2001 is Respect Differences.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2002 is Celebrating Our Heroes.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2003 is Who Says You Can’t Change the World?

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2004 is Stand Up and Be Counted.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2005 is Life’s Journey Starts Now.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2006 is Activities for All.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2007 is Find Your Voice.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2008 is Step Up!

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2009 is Step Up! Go Green!

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2010 is Step Up to Safety: Student Leaders Working for Safe Schools & Communities.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2011 is Student Leaders: Saving Lives Through Service and Leadership.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2012 is Student Leaders: Building Schools – Building Futures.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2013 is Student Leaders: Raising The Bar.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2014 is Lead Strong.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2015 is Power of One.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2016 is Right Here, Right Now.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2017 is Student Leaders: Making a Difference in partnership with Global Citizenship initiative.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2018 is Global Impact: Dream. Lead. Serve.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2019 is Student Leaders: Taking Charge.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2020 is Leadership in Lights.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2021 is Leadership Unlimited.

National Student Leadership Week theme for 2022 is Trailblazing Leadership. NASSP also hosted the first-ever NHS Scholarship Gala in Washington, D.C. honoring the top 25 recipients and announcing the national winner.

Note of the january month

Note of the january month

Student Leadership Map

Recognize the boundless leadership of your students! Submit a brief description of a student leader you appreciate, and they will be featured on this map for all to see and celebrate. Select student stories will be featured on the National Honor Society and National Student Council social media accounts.

Submit Your Student Leader