Natalia Pérez de León named 2022 National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader

Dorado, PR - Natalia Pérez de León, a Senior at The TASIS School in Dorado, has successfully completed the NatStuCo Student Leaders Program, earning national recognition as a National Student Council Distinguished Student Leader. She is one of approximately 800 students in the nation to achieve this recognition, which is becoming a highly sought-after honor by student leaders across the country. Sponsored by the National Student Council (NatStuCo) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Student Leaders Program serves to:

● Give schools a tool to enhance and improve their efforts to develop student leaders.

● Challenge students to work for recognition that is based on their abilities and knowledge in the area of leadership.

● Create an award that provides authentic assessment and recognition based on a student's demonstration of skills and knowledge.

● Support the standards and goals of the National Council of Excellence Awards and missions of National Student Council and NASSP.

Natalia has been a TASIS Dorado Bear since seventh grade. This year, she is the Executive Board President of the Student Council; in years prior, she has served as the Executive Board's vice-president and treasurer. She is also part of the National Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Science Bowl Team, and Interact Club. In terms of the latter, Natalia has always enjoyed volunteering and has logged more than 270 hours of community service during her time at TASIS. She has done tremendous work for the Los Naranjos community in Vega Baja; she has provided countless hours of tutoring as well as helped run summer camps for this disadvantaged community.

Natalia's commitment to her studies and extracurricular duties has earned her an AP Scholars Award with Distinction, an AP Capstone Diploma, a National Hispanic Recognition Award, a National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award, an eighth-grade Valedictorian award, and two National Gold Council of Excellence awards as well as consistent high academic achievement awards and high honor roll distinctions here at our school. Natalia has established herself as a leader and demonstrated the worth of hard work and dedication. She strives to impact her community in every way possible positively. As she puts it: "For me, a true leader is someone that sets an example for their community and country, someone that volunteers actively to help their community and people in need. Leadership is not only limited to moments of action but also embodies virtues and good qualities such as being honest so that everyone can trust and respect everyone without regard for their race, gender, and/or differences. Most importantly, a good leader protects their country, its inhabitants, and their environment. Leaders prioritize other people's needs before their own."

Natalia is thrilled to receive this recognition and is eternally grateful to those that have supported her in this journey: "I want to give special thanks to my parents for being my role models, my most energetic motivators, and my most loving cheerleaders. And to Mr. G for shaping the Student Council and me into what it is today. I want to thank Ms. Karen for taking us, the Student Council, with such elegance and patience despite the time and responsibility it demands."

Natalia has been a TASIS Dorado Bear since seventh grade. This year, she is the Executive Board President of the Student Council; in years prior, she has served as the Executive Board's vice-president and treasurer. She is also part of the National Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Science Bowl Team, and Interact Club. In terms of the latter, Natalia has always enjoyed volunteering and has logged more than 270 hours of community service during her time at TASIS. She has established herself as a leader and demonstrated the worth of hard work and dedication. She strives to impact her community in every way possible positively. As she puts it: "For me, a true leader is someone that sets an example for their community and country, someone that volunteers actively to help their community and people in need. Leadership is not only limited to moments of action, but it also embodies virtues and good qualities such as being honest so that everyone can trust and respect everyone without regard for their race, gender, and/or differences.

Most importantly, a good leader protects their country, its inhabitants, and the environment. Leaders prioritize other people's needs before their own." Natalia is thrilled to receive this recognition and is eternally grateful to those that have supported her in this journey: "I want to give special thanks to my parents for being my role models, my most energetic motivators, and my most loving cheerleaders. And to Mr. G for shaping the Student Council and me into what it is today. I want to thank Ms. Karen for taking us, the Student Council, with such elegance and patience despite the time and responsibility it demands."

Natalia, whose school is a National Student Council member, completed a series of required tasks and activities to complete the program and become a certified student leader. The rigorous application process involves the creation of a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates the completion of many activities, inclusive of modules on leadership, goal setting, team building, decision making, problem-solving, group dynamics, time management and personal organization, meeting management, communication, evaluation, service, civic engagement, and personal leadership philosophy. Applicants must also participate in an assessment meeting with their advisers and principals to verify the completion of the requirements. Student portfolios and applications are then forwarded to NatStuCo for a final review. Upon completing the program, students are recognized as Distinguished Student Leaders.

For more information on the National Student Council Distinguished Student Leaders Program, visit www.NatStuCo.org.

About National Student Council

The National Student Council™ (NatStuCo) provides resources, programs, and recognition to develop and support student council leaders and advisers. NatStuCo believes that student council is the voice of the student body and is dedicated to preparing and empowering student leaders to serve their schools and communities through leadership, service, and civic engagement. For more information, visit www.NatStuCo.org.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization and voice for middle-level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.