March 4, 2025 • 24 mins
A heartfelt conversation unfolds as Michaela and Riley share insights from their roles on the NorthStar Academy Student Council. They discuss leadership, community, and the importance of connection within their online academy.
• Michaela and Riley introduce themselves, sharing their backgrounds and hobbies
• Overview of their student council roles and responsibilities
• Insights into how collaboration shapes their leadership experiences
• Discussion on effective communication and the importance of kindness
• Reflections on building a vibrant community in an online environment
• Encouragement for non-student council members to engage and lead in their own way
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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Stephanie (00:01):
Hi, this is Stephanie Shafer and you're listening to
the NorthStar Narrative, apodcast from NorthStar Academy.
I want to thank you for joiningus.
I hope you're encouraged,challenged and motivated by what
you learned today.
Enjoy the story.
Hey everybody, Welcome to thisweek's episode.
(00:22):
So thankful to be able to haveagain with us NorthStar students
.
We have two new students to thepodcast today and I just am so
excited to welcome MichaelaO'Halloran and Riley Whitney.
They both serve on our studentcouncil Michaela is our
secretary and Riley is our 11thand 12th grade representative,
(00:45):
so they're going to talk alittle bit about their
experience and just what itmeans to connect and have a
community at NorthStar.
If you've been able to listen tosome of the previous episodes,
I know it's just so cool tolearn from each of these
students and what they'relearning about leadership and
life.
What they're learning aboutleadership and life.
And we love, love our studentsat NorthStar and are so thankful
(01:06):
for just the brilliant mindsGod gives them and the passions
and they're just go-getters,always wanting to build a great
community here and do what Godcalls them to do.
So thank y'all so much forjoining me today.
Yeah, thank you.
Happy to be here, Yay, Okay.
Well, let's get going by, eachof you just taking a few moments
(01:27):
to introduce yourself.
Tell everybody that's listeninga little bit about you and your
experience so far at NorthStar.
Michaela (01:37):
Michaela, you want to jump in first.
16 years old, a junior at NSA.
This is my sixth year at NSAand I live in Tennessee, so I
used to live in New Jersey and Ihave four siblings, one of
which graduated from NSA in 2023.
And I've been dancing for 13years and that's a very big part
(02:03):
of my life, which, yeah.
Stephanie (02:05):
Yeah, that is.
13 years is a long time.
Tell us a little bit more aboutwhat type of dance and why
you've been doing it so longLike you must really love it.
Michaela (02:13):
I do like every kind of dance that you can probably
think of Um, and I've just doneit for so long it's just been a
great outlet, a great sport Um,just done.
For so long it's just been agreat outlet, a great sport, um,
and it's just something Ireally love doing.
Stephanie (02:29):
It's just really interesting and a good creative
outlet and, yeah, yeah, so fun.
Thanks for sharing.
All right, riley, what aboutyou?
Riley (02:36):
well, my name is riley whitney, I'm 16 years old, I am
also a junior at NorthStar andthis is my third year at NSA.
I am the oldest of four kids.
I live in Washington State andmy hobbies consist of video
games and I like to makehandmade birthday cards and
greeting cards and stuff.
Stephanie (02:57):
So fun.
So another creative outlet youget to share with people.
I know cards are so meaningful.
So video games, what type doyou like to play?
Riley (03:06):
I play mainly Fortnite and Counter-Strike 2.
Those are about the two.
I usually play shooter types ofgames.
Stephanie (03:14):
Yeah, great.
Well, thank y'all so much againfor just joining me here and
for the investment you're makingin to community, because I know
it's making a real impact.
So tell everybody a little bitabout your positions this year
and what you do in that role.
Raleigh, you want to go aheadand go first?
(03:35):
Sure.
Riley (03:37):
So as the 11th and 12th grade representative, I get to
find ways to get the grades toconnect with each other and get
them to grow as a community.
I get to write a newslettereach month that I usually
include like a verse and a songand riddles and jokes and put I
had people fill out a form withtheir birthdays so that each
(03:58):
month we can celebrate thebirthdays of that month.
And I also get to host a calleach month where we get to play
fun games together and just growand fellowship and have fun.
Stephanie (04:08):
Yeah, we do like to have fun here and it's so cool
because, in case you'rewondering if you're not part of
NorthStar and you're listening,we do get to see each other a
lot and interact and have funtimes here.
So thanks so much for leadingout and all that.
All right, Michaela, what's itlike to be a secretary on
student council this year?
Michaela (04:24):
The secretary does quite a bit.
I oversee everything that goeson with the representatives, so
I will work with them often tojust help them out anything they
need.
I work with the executive team,so there's two other amazing
leaders with me who we planevents and we then work with the
rest of the student council toget those out.
(04:46):
And I also oversee anythingwith the tutors.
Um so, anything with tutoring,nsa I kind of head and help out
with and, um, yeah, I also justhelp with leading our bi-weekly
calls with student council andour all calls each month and
(05:06):
just overall making sureeverything's going well and just
working with everyone else tomake sure that NSA's getting
everything it needs.
Stephanie (05:14):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Thank you so much.
All right, so as secretary anda representative, you work quite
a bit together.
What have y'all learned workingtogether about leadership this
year?
Michaela (05:28):
I would say being working with the representatives
has been different than likeworking with like the rest of
student council, because it'smore like a leadership kind of
mindset than it is like lateral,I guess, like where they're
like my teammates.
But it's been really good torealize that like working in
leadership is still working on ateam and so it's more kind of
(05:51):
like a back and forth thing withthem, which has been really fun
and really enjoyable and I'velearned a lot about them and
I've also just learned a lotabout being just how we kind of
like operate together and likework to make sure everything
ends up Collaborating together.
Stephanie (06:08):
Yeah, so fun.
All right, so tell me a littlebit more.
What have you learned aboutyourself that you would want to
share?
Michaela (06:13):
I would say just how I , how I work.
I guess that sounds kind ofstrange, but like, just like how
different things work out whenI collaborate with people.
Um, different things I need towatch out for, like, if I, you
know, name like a little toolike controlling over something
or, you know, I like managesomething when, like you know
it's good to like relinquish itto others and, you know, be
(06:34):
open-minded to what other peopleare putting in, and making it
just like one big collaborativespace instead of necessarily
like leadership rungs, if thatmakes sense.
Um, so yeah, definitelylearning a lot about like
collaboration and how that workswith my personality.
Stephanie (06:51):
That's so good.
Yeah, Not trying to doeverything yourself.
Working together as a team Allright, Riley, what do you think
about what she said and what doyou think you're learning this
year?
Riley (07:00):
I think I've learned a lot about how communication is
key with a lot of things askingquestions, make sure that
everything is clear.
With a lot of things, askingquestions, make sure that
everything is clear because, asthe representative who's making
a newsletter, all of that'sgoing to go to everybody else
and if it's not clear, then it'sgoing to it's not going to end
well.
So, and also being able to help, like the other representatives
(07:22):
, when they ask, like questionsand stuff, like just being able
to share back and forth on thisis why I do this this way and
just be able to exchange ideas.
And I think I've learned aboutmyself that like I might overdo
it on the newsletter a littlebit.
I think I go a little overboardjust because I get distracted,
and it's definitely something Iused to procrastinate on school.
(07:42):
I will say that I will be like,okay, I should work on the
newsletter three hours later Ishould really have been doing
math instead.
So I've just learned that Ireally enjoy this job and I
definitely think that I'll runfor it again next year because I
just feel like it suits me sowell Just being able to reach
out to people and connect withpeople.
(08:02):
It's also a great way toencourage people with Bible
verses and stuff, just likeslipping them in there.
Try and use them asencouragement.
I try to post a verse of theday in my 11th and 12th grade
team every day and just usuallythe verse is something that like
something that stuck out to mein my Bible study the night
before, or verses that meansomething to me, and I just love
being able to do that.
It's just.
(08:22):
That's probably one of myfavorite parts about the whole
thing is being able to share theBible with people.
Stephanie (08:28):
That's awesome, so, so encouraging.
I love that you said clear, sotell me what y'all think about
this.
When you think aboutcommunication, what do you think
about this phrase?
Clear is kind.
Michaela (08:41):
I would definitely agree with it.
I think you can't necessarilyeffectively get a message across
unless you're being kind,because often, if you're not,
people are going to shrink backand they're not going to be as
receptive to what you're saying.
And so I think clearcommunication has to be kind
communication or it's noteffective communication.
So, yeah, that's definitelynecessary in order for it to
(09:06):
work out.
Stephanie (09:08):
Raleigh.
Any other thoughts necessary inorder for it to work out.
Riley (09:10):
Yeah, probably any other thoughts where and kind.
I think that it's hard whenyou're doing stuff online and
like texting, that it's reallyhard to get your emotion across,
and so I think it's it's smartto be able to, or it's smart to
say that you are not saying thisin a rude way.
You're just trying to make surethat you're getting your point
across and without them thinkingthat you're yelling, saying
this in a rude way.
You're just trying to make surethat you're getting your point
across and without them thinkingthat you're yelling at them or
(09:32):
that you're bossing them around,just being like hey, I'm trying
to make sure that this is clear, because it's hard to text with
people sometimes, and make surethat your ideas get across
clearly.
Stephanie (09:41):
It is, and sometimes I have the habit of somehow
thinking I'm being really clear,but it didn't come across clear
.
Just because something's clearto me doesn't mean it's making
it to the other person orpeople's minds and it's clear,
you know.
And so, really thinking aboutbefore I speak, okay, how do I
(10:03):
make this super clear?
And then, yeah, if it's writtencommunication, how do you make
it kind in writing?
You know where people are goingto see.
So that is a fun job of leadingand just communicating in
general, no matter whatanybody's role is right.
Anything come to mind whereyou're like oh yeah, I remember
that time that it wasn't veryclear, I thought it was, but
(10:25):
something that you're like.
Oh, I wish I would have donethat different, but something
that you're like, oh, I wish Iwould have done that different.
Michaela (10:30):
I don't necessarily think I can think of like a
specific time, but I think justlike overall, in the beginning
of the year, when I was likestarting out my position, having
to communicate with so manypeople, like set so many things
up, I was just like am I beingclear or am I not?
And I would like double checkmyself multiple times because I
was like this seems clear to me,but this is information.
So I, like you know, I need tomake sure it's clear.
(10:51):
And then you know I wouldalways like make sure that
people like is this clear?
Do I make sense?
Because it was a lot ofinformation.
So, you know, I think, like yousaid, like something can
definitely like be clear to you,but like to others it might not
be, and so it's definitelysomething to think about.
Stephanie (11:07):
Definitely.
How would you describe whatit's like to be a student at NSA
, especially in terms ofcommunity and involvement?
Maybe think back before youwere on STUCO and what are your
thoughts about that?
Michaela (11:25):
I've been on student council a long time, but I think
, whether like on studentcouncil or not, NSA's community
is just it's very vibrant andit's very like inclusive and
just everyone.
There's just a very likeeveryone's in it together kind
of attitude, Um, and just a verylike oh, you're new, I mean,
you know, let's try to have aconversation and uh, and I think
(11:48):
that, especially once you getto know people, like it just
becomes very layered, which Ithink is really interesting
because it's completely online.
Um, but I think because it'scompletely online, you learn how
to navigate that landscape andsome really great relationships
can come out of it and I've metsome of my closest friends at
NSA.
Yeah, I would say it's just veryvibrant and diverse.
(12:10):
Yeah, I'd say those are the twowords I'd use to describe it If
I had to describe it.
Two words.
Stephanie (12:16):
Yeah, perfect words.
What about you, raleigh?
Riley (12:20):
I feel like.
So this is my first year onstudent council, and I think
that, um, prior to this, priorto being on student council,
that the community was like itwas, so there's always be so
many threads active and stuff.
There would be so much to do.
(12:41):
So many distractions which arefun distractions, though and I
made a couple of friends withinmy first two years, and I think
that a couple of those friendsare friends that I'm going to
have forever, that I think thatI will be talking to after I
graduate, after they leave NSA.
That is some.
Those are girls that I will behaving long-lasting friendships
with and definitely planning tomeet up with at some point, and,
um, then, after joining studentcouncil this year, I formed
(13:04):
that.
We formed a group of girlscalled that we call the study
gang, and we sit in a call allday long and about every hour we
check in with each other andtell each other what we've
gotten done, so that we can keepourselves accountable for what
we're getting done, making surewe're not getting distracted,
and I think that the communitythat we've just grown in, that
little group, is something thatI think there's lots of groups
(13:26):
like that at nsa, where you justform this tight bond of like
trusting with each other andhaving, like deep conversations
and growing as a group of people, as well as growing spiritually
, and having theologicalconversations and being able to
share our thoughts on certainthings and just being able to.
There's somebody for everybody.
That's.
(13:46):
What I've learned is thatthere's always somebody you can
talk to about your interests.
It might not all be in the sameperson, but like you can ask
questions around teams andyou're able to find somebody to
talk about one of your interestswith, and I love that that you
there's somebody for everybodyand I really like that.
Stephanie (14:02):
I love that too, and I hear all the time.
Lifelong relationships afterNSA yeah, super special.
So glad that y'all have that.
All right, thinking aboutstudents that aren't on student
council yet haven't had thatopportunity.
What's a practical way studentscan be leaders even though
they're not on STUCO?
Michaela (14:23):
I think in just especially in an online
landscape, it's very easy forthings to go wrong and, like we
were talking about earlier, likeI think Riley mentioned it,
it's very easy for things to notcome across the way you want
them to it.
Um, it's very easy for things tonot come across the way you
want them to um in an onlinelandscape.
And so I think that always justbeing generally just kind to
others you know setting christexample, um all that kind of
(14:46):
stuff just in your communicationwith others, just always kind
of just being kind, and you knowum thinking about others and
you know how they might takesomething.
You know what they might thinkabout something.
Um, especially you know youthinking about others and you
know how they might takesomething.
You know what they might thinkabout something, especially.
You know you would do that inreal life, but especially
heightened because you're online, so things can come across
totally different.
Yeah, and like you know, ifsomeone you know is struggling
(15:09):
or something reaching out tothem, you know being a friend,
all that kind of stuff, yeahthat's really good.
Stephanie (15:15):
You know, being a friend, all that kind of stuff
yeah, that's really good.
Riley or Michaela, can youthink of a time that maybe one
of the NSA teachers that you'vehad or staff have you learned
that type of leadership fromanyone at NSA?
Have you experienced peoplereaching out to you?
Michaela (15:30):
Yeah, definitely From teachers, staff, other students
definitely.
Just you know they noticesomething, they reach out, you
know you talk with them about itand you know it's really
encouraging and it's just youknow getting it out, talking
about it, it's just really great.
Stephanie (15:45):
Can you think of a special time, Riley, where
someone really encouraged you?
Riley (15:49):
I had posted my testimony and both of my girls group
teachers reached out to me andwere telling me that they were
so happy for me and praying forme and they um, that was really
encouraging and like if we posta prayer request, I'll have
different faculty members reachout to me telling me that
they're praying for me and thatthey're there for me if I need
to talk to them about anything.
(16:10):
And I just love that theteachers and like staff members
don't just limit themselves tolike other staff members that's
who I'm going to communicatewith but they reach out to
students and they encourage themand they let them know that
they're there for them and theywill let you.
They will tell you that theywill call with you and pray with
you if you want, and it's justa community where it's not
(16:31):
there's a line between theadults and the children where
they're not supposed to like mixwith each other and I really
love that.
It's like you don't have tofeel uncomfortable reaching out
to an adult.
It's a comfortable situationwhere you're not like, oh
goodness, I don't want to botherthem, I don't want to be a
burden by telling them something, but they really care about you
(16:53):
and that's definitely one of myfavorite things about teachers
in general is when you'retalking to them, they're like,
okay, is there anything I canpray for.
Like when you have yourmeetings once a semester and
they're like, okay, let's praytogether, is there anything I
can pray for?
And they'll reach out to youagain in a couple of weeks, so,
like, did your prayer requestget answered?
And it's like they really careabout you and I really, really
like that.
Stephanie (17:12):
That's so good to hear.
Yeah, because that is why we'rehere to help every student feel
known and to grow into justwhat God's made them to be.
So that's always great.
Michaela, you told me throughthe survey that you're
passionate about sharing Jesuswith others.
How do you see that play out inyour daily life, whether here
at NSA Stucco or beyond NSAdaily?
Michaela (17:36):
life, whether here at NSA, Stucco, or beyond NSA.
I think at NSA the amount ofjust godly conversations I've
had with people and just talkingabout you know just God and
different topics and you knowJesus, all that kind of stuff,
and it's been really upliftingthere.
As far as in my day-to-day lifein outside of msa um, you know
(17:57):
being in you know my environment, with dance and stuff it's not
a christian environment and thatcan bring up its own problem
stuff.
So being able to, you know,share christ with some of my
friends there and, um, even justyou know, I've met a few people
who are, you know, christiansin those circles and just
uplifting them and thinkingabout that verse like iron
(18:18):
sharpening, iron type of thing,because it can be a very
difficult environment and so Ithink, definitely supporting
each other there and then alsojust sharing Christ with people
in those circles, because it'sjust not a Christian one and so
it can be.
You know, sometimes reallygreat opportunities and really
great conversations I've hadwith people, um, just from me
(18:43):
saying something or you knowsaying, oh, I'm praying for you,
or something like that.
You know that's good.
Stephanie (18:48):
Yeah, relational, it's all about relationships and
conversations connecting withothers.
So, yeah, and that's what we'vebeen talking about, so cool,
all right, riley, if you couldcreate any event or initiative
for Stuko, what would it be andwhy?
Riley (19:03):
Oh wow, that is a big question.
Stephanie (19:07):
Dream big.
Riley (19:09):
Let's see, I think that like, are we talking like online
or like meet up in person kindof event?
Stephanie (19:15):
It's your dream.
Riley (19:16):
Ooh okay, the creativity is endless.
I think I would love to havelike a prom, like do a prom
thing, because as a homeschooleryou don't get to do dances and
stuff like that, and I wouldjust love that experience.
If we did like a winter formalprom ball thing, because my mom
(19:38):
got to go to a winter formalthing and I see her pictures,
I'm like I don't do that.
That looks like so much fun andso I think that I would throw
like a huge fancy dance party.
That kind of sounds reallycringy, but huge fancy dance
party.
Stephanie (19:54):
So do you know I'm sure you do that we have a live
graduation every year in person?
Yes, did you hear that lastyear we had our first ever prom
during that graduation weekend?
Riley (20:09):
I did hear about that.
I saw a couple pictures, yeah.
Stephanie (20:13):
It was small, so your vision of it's probably a lot
bigger, but that's something wecan.
Yeah, we can build on foranybody that wants to join in,
and I have a dream to be able togo around and have a bunch of
regional meetups, have like aNorthStar bus or a NorthStar
plane and go around and havefaculty staff communities, have
(20:33):
graduations at different areas.
There's lots of stuff we candream about, right, and pray for
that in-person connection.
So, yeah, thanks for sharingthat.
All right, rapid fire.
You just got to bust out andsay it.
Either of you, what's the firstword you would use to describe
NSA Students Council?
Riley (20:57):
United Intuitive.
Stephanie (21:00):
Yeah, good words.
All right, something about you.
What's your favorite food?
Sushi Tacos.
If you could go to any countryand live right now, which one?
Riley (21:12):
Italy.
That's what I was going to say.
Stephanie (21:16):
Something in common, all right.
What's the best book you'veread lately?
Riley (21:22):
Keepers of the Lost Cities series.
I can't just pick, pick one.
It's all a blur anyway.
I've read them all so fast thatthey all seem like one giant
book I'm honestly gonna say thebible, because I've not been
reading many books lately what'syour favorite candy or sugar
item?
Ice cream, ice cream yeah,flavor mint, chocolate mint.
(21:42):
Yeah, chocolate mint isprobably the best y'all have
lots in common.
Stephanie (21:48):
Dance party.
Talked about dance parties.
Riley mckayla, we know you loveto dance, so what's your
favorite song to put on, just torelease stress and dance away?
Riley (21:57):
shut up and dance by walk the moon is a really good
dancing.
Michaela (22:01):
Yeah, I was gonna say, or just like my dance friends
and I and we've danced party,especially with, like the little
kids We'll always put on, shakeit off, so fun.
Stephanie (22:12):
All right, y'all have so much in common.
Did you know that?
Michaela (22:15):
I feel like yes and no .
There are certain things.
Yes, I did know.
In certain things, no, it's notyeah.
Stephanie (22:33):
Cool, always learning here at.
Michaela (22:34):
NorthStar.
All right, as we wrap it up, isthere anything you want
students to hear from you?
Anything about NSA, how to getinvolved in the community,
something they shouldn't miss?
I?
Riley (22:42):
think just that, like get involved.
Like don't be afraid to getinvolved because it's a great
community and you're not goingto regret it because you're
going to meet amazing people.
Don't be afraid to startthreads.
If you have some random funnyquestion, put it in the
courtyard and it'll most likelyblow up and you'll get tons of
responses and you'll meet abunch of new people and, who
knows, maybe meet your longlasting new best friend.
Stephanie (22:57):
Yeah, great advice.
Y'all are so fun.
So good for me to get to knowyou a little bit.
More chocolate chip ice creamum, I'll remember that both of
you like mint.
So thank you so much forsharing about just your love for
students and the community, andyou're learning so much
lifelong learning aboutleadership and, yeah, you are
(23:17):
super fun.
So hope you can have a breaktoday.
Get up, play your favorite song, have a little dance party,
release some stress and then getback to the studies.
Get ready for a good weekend.
All right, thank you all somuch for joining me.
Riley (23:30):
Yeah, thank you for having us.
This was so much fun.
Stephanie (23:34):
Thank you so much for listening today.
If you have any questions forour guest or would like
information about NorthStar,please email us at podcast at
NSA dot school.
We love having guests on ourshow and getting to hear their
stories.
If you have anyone in mind thatyou think would be a great
guest to feature, please emailus and let us know.
And don't forget to subscribeso you don't miss out on
(23:58):
upcoming stories.
Hi, this is Stephanie Shafer and you're listening to
the NorthStar Narrative, apodcast from NorthStar Academy.
I want to thank you for joiningus.
I hope you're encouraged,challenged and motivated by what
you learned today.
Enjoy the story.
Hey everybody, Welcome to thisweek's episode.
(00:22):
So thankful to be able to haveagain with us NorthStar students
.
We have two new students to thepodcast today and I just am so
excited to welcome MichaelaO'Halloran and Riley Whitney.
They both serve on our studentcouncil Michaela is our
secretary and Riley is our 11thand 12th grade representative,
(00:45):
so they're going to talk alittle bit about their
experience and just what itmeans to connect and have a
community at NorthStar.
If you've been able to listen tosome of the previous episodes,
I know it's just so cool tolearn from each of these
students and what they'relearning about leadership and
life.
What they're learning aboutleadership and life.
And we love, love our studentsat NorthStar and are so thankful
(01:06):
for just the brilliant mindsGod gives them and the passions
and they're just go-getters,always wanting to build a great
community here and do what Godcalls them to do.
So thank y'all so much forjoining me today.
Yeah, thank you.
Happy to be here, Yay, Okay.
Well, let's get going by, eachof you just taking a few moments
(01:27):
to introduce yourself.
Tell everybody that's listeninga little bit about you and your
experience so far at NorthStar.
Michaela (01:37):
Michaela, you want to jump in first.
16 years old, a junior at NSA.
This is my sixth year at NSAand I live in Tennessee, so I
used to live in New Jersey and Ihave four siblings, one of
which graduated from NSA in 2023.
And I've been dancing for 13years and that's a very big part
(02:03):
of my life, which, yeah.
Stephanie (02:05):
Yeah, that is.
13 years is a long time.
Tell us a little bit more aboutwhat type of dance and why
you've been doing it so longLike you must really love it.
Michaela (02:13):
I do like every kind of dance that you can probably
think of Um, and I've just doneit for so long it's just been a
great outlet, a great sport Um,just done.
For so long it's just been agreat outlet, a great sport, um,
and it's just something Ireally love doing.
Stephanie (02:29):
It's just really interesting and a good creative
outlet and, yeah, yeah, so fun.
Thanks for sharing.
All right, riley, what aboutyou?
Riley (02:36):
well, my name is riley whitney, I'm 16 years old, I am
also a junior at NorthStar andthis is my third year at NSA.
I am the oldest of four kids.
I live in Washington State andmy hobbies consist of video
games and I like to makehandmade birthday cards and
greeting cards and stuff.
Stephanie (02:57):
So fun.
So another creative outlet youget to share with people.
I know cards are so meaningful.
So video games, what type doyou like to play?
Riley (03:06):
I play mainly Fortnite and Counter-Strike 2.
Those are about the two.
I usually play shooter types ofgames.
Stephanie (03:14):
Yeah, great.
Well, thank y'all so much againfor just joining me here and
for the investment you're makingin to community, because I know
it's making a real impact.
So tell everybody a little bitabout your positions this year
and what you do in that role.
Raleigh, you want to go aheadand go first?
(03:35):
Sure.
Riley (03:37):
So as the 11th and 12th grade representative, I get to
find ways to get the grades toconnect with each other and get
them to grow as a community.
I get to write a newslettereach month that I usually
include like a verse and a songand riddles and jokes and put I
had people fill out a form withtheir birthdays so that each
(03:58):
month we can celebrate thebirthdays of that month.
And I also get to host a calleach month where we get to play
fun games together and just growand fellowship and have fun.
Stephanie (04:08):
Yeah, we do like to have fun here and it's so cool
because, in case you'rewondering if you're not part of
NorthStar and you're listening,we do get to see each other a
lot and interact and have funtimes here.
So thanks so much for leadingout and all that.
All right, Michaela, what's itlike to be a secretary on
student council this year?
Michaela (04:24):
The secretary does quite a bit.
I oversee everything that goeson with the representatives, so
I will work with them often tojust help them out anything they
need.
I work with the executive team,so there's two other amazing
leaders with me who we planevents and we then work with the
rest of the student council toget those out.
(04:46):
And I also oversee anythingwith the tutors.
Um so, anything with tutoring,nsa I kind of head and help out
with and, um, yeah, I also justhelp with leading our bi-weekly
calls with student council andour all calls each month and
(05:06):
just overall making sureeverything's going well and just
working with everyone else tomake sure that NSA's getting
everything it needs.
Stephanie (05:14):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Thank you so much.
All right, so as secretary anda representative, you work quite
a bit together.
What have y'all learned workingtogether about leadership this
year?
Michaela (05:28):
I would say being working with the representatives
has been different than likeworking with like the rest of
student council, because it'smore like a leadership kind of
mindset than it is like lateral,I guess, like where they're
like my teammates.
But it's been really good torealize that like working in
leadership is still working on ateam and so it's more kind of
(05:51):
like a back and forth thing withthem, which has been really fun
and really enjoyable and I'velearned a lot about them and
I've also just learned a lotabout being just how we kind of
like operate together and likework to make sure everything
ends up Collaborating together.
Stephanie (06:08):
Yeah, so fun.
All right, so tell me a littlebit more.
What have you learned aboutyourself that you would want to
share?
Michaela (06:13):
I would say just how I , how I work.
I guess that sounds kind ofstrange, but like, just like how
different things work out whenI collaborate with people.
Um, different things I need towatch out for, like, if I, you
know, name like a little toolike controlling over something
or, you know, I like managesomething when, like you know
it's good to like relinquish itto others and, you know, be
(06:34):
open-minded to what other peopleare putting in, and making it
just like one big collaborativespace instead of necessarily
like leadership rungs, if thatmakes sense.
Um, so yeah, definitelylearning a lot about like
collaboration and how that workswith my personality.
Stephanie (06:51):
That's so good.
Yeah, Not trying to doeverything yourself.
Working together as a team Allright, Riley, what do you think
about what she said and what doyou think you're learning this
year?
Riley (07:00):
I think I've learned a lot about how communication is
key with a lot of things askingquestions, make sure that
everything is clear.
With a lot of things, askingquestions, make sure that
everything is clear because, asthe representative who's making
a newsletter, all of that'sgoing to go to everybody else
and if it's not clear, then it'sgoing to it's not going to end
well.
So, and also being able to help, like the other representatives
(07:22):
, when they ask, like questionsand stuff, like just being able
to share back and forth on thisis why I do this this way and
just be able to exchange ideas.
And I think I've learned aboutmyself that like I might overdo
it on the newsletter a littlebit.
I think I go a little overboardjust because I get distracted,
and it's definitely something Iused to procrastinate on school.
(07:42):
I will say that I will be like,okay, I should work on the
newsletter three hours later Ishould really have been doing
math instead.
So I've just learned that Ireally enjoy this job and I
definitely think that I'll runfor it again next year because I
just feel like it suits me sowell Just being able to reach
out to people and connect withpeople.
(08:02):
It's also a great way toencourage people with Bible
verses and stuff, just likeslipping them in there.
Try and use them asencouragement.
I try to post a verse of theday in my 11th and 12th grade
team every day and just usuallythe verse is something that like
something that stuck out to mein my Bible study the night
before, or verses that meansomething to me, and I just love
being able to do that.
It's just.
(08:22):
That's probably one of myfavorite parts about the whole
thing is being able to share theBible with people.
Stephanie (08:28):
That's awesome, so, so encouraging.
I love that you said clear, sotell me what y'all think about
this.
When you think aboutcommunication, what do you think
about this phrase?
Clear is kind.
Michaela (08:41):
I would definitely agree with it.
I think you can't necessarilyeffectively get a message across
unless you're being kind,because often, if you're not,
people are going to shrink backand they're not going to be as
receptive to what you're saying.
And so I think clearcommunication has to be kind
communication or it's noteffective communication.
So, yeah, that's definitelynecessary in order for it to
(09:06):
work out.
Stephanie (09:08):
Raleigh.
Any other thoughts necessary inorder for it to work out.
Riley (09:10):
Yeah, probably any other thoughts where and kind.
I think that it's hard whenyou're doing stuff online and
like texting, that it's reallyhard to get your emotion across,
and so I think it's it's smartto be able to, or it's smart to
say that you are not saying thisin a rude way.
You're just trying to make surethat you're getting your point
across and without them thinkingthat you're yelling, saying
this in a rude way.
You're just trying to make surethat you're getting your point
across and without them thinkingthat you're yelling at them or
(09:32):
that you're bossing them around,just being like hey, I'm trying
to make sure that this is clear, because it's hard to text with
people sometimes, and make surethat your ideas get across
clearly.
Stephanie (09:41):
It is, and sometimes I have the habit of somehow
thinking I'm being really clear,but it didn't come across clear
.
Just because something's clearto me doesn't mean it's making
it to the other person orpeople's minds and it's clear,
you know.
And so, really thinking aboutbefore I speak, okay, how do I
(10:03):
make this super clear?
And then, yeah, if it's writtencommunication, how do you make
it kind in writing?
You know where people are goingto see.
So that is a fun job of leadingand just communicating in
general, no matter whatanybody's role is right.
Anything come to mind whereyou're like oh yeah, I remember
that time that it wasn't veryclear, I thought it was, but
(10:25):
something that you're like.
Oh, I wish I would have donethat different, but something
that you're like, oh, I wish Iwould have done that different.
Michaela (10:30):
I don't necessarily think I can think of like a
specific time, but I think justlike overall, in the beginning
of the year, when I was likestarting out my position, having
to communicate with so manypeople, like set so many things
up, I was just like am I beingclear or am I not?
And I would like double checkmyself multiple times because I
was like this seems clear to me,but this is information.
So I, like you know, I need tomake sure it's clear.
(10:51):
And then you know I wouldalways like make sure that
people like is this clear?
Do I make sense?
Because it was a lot ofinformation.
So, you know, I think, like yousaid, like something can
definitely like be clear to you,but like to others it might not
be, and so it's definitelysomething to think about.
Stephanie (11:07):
Definitely.
How would you describe whatit's like to be a student at NSA
, especially in terms ofcommunity and involvement?
Maybe think back before youwere on STUCO and what are your
thoughts about that?
Michaela (11:25):
I've been on student council a long time, but I think
, whether like on studentcouncil or not, NSA's community
is just it's very vibrant andit's very like inclusive and
just everyone.
There's just a very likeeveryone's in it together kind
of attitude, Um, and just a verylike oh, you're new, I mean,
you know, let's try to have aconversation and uh, and I think
(11:48):
that, especially once you getto know people, like it just
becomes very layered, which Ithink is really interesting
because it's completely online.
Um, but I think because it'scompletely online, you learn how
to navigate that landscape andsome really great relationships
can come out of it and I've metsome of my closest friends at
NSA.
Yeah, I would say it's just veryvibrant and diverse.
(12:10):
Yeah, I'd say those are the twowords I'd use to describe it If
I had to describe it.
Two words.
Stephanie (12:16):
Yeah, perfect words.
What about you, raleigh?
Riley (12:20):
I feel like.
So this is my first year onstudent council, and I think
that, um, prior to this, priorto being on student council,
that the community was like itwas, so there's always be so
many threads active and stuff.
There would be so much to do.
(12:41):
So many distractions which arefun distractions, though and I
made a couple of friends withinmy first two years, and I think
that a couple of those friendsare friends that I'm going to
have forever, that I think thatI will be talking to after I
graduate, after they leave NSA.
That is some.
Those are girls that I will behaving long-lasting friendships
with and definitely planning tomeet up with at some point, and,
um, then, after joining studentcouncil this year, I formed
(13:04):
that.
We formed a group of girlscalled that we call the study
gang, and we sit in a call allday long and about every hour we
check in with each other andtell each other what we've
gotten done, so that we can keepourselves accountable for what
we're getting done, making surewe're not getting distracted,
and I think that the communitythat we've just grown in, that
little group, is something thatI think there's lots of groups
(13:26):
like that at nsa, where you justform this tight bond of like
trusting with each other andhaving, like deep conversations
and growing as a group of people, as well as growing spiritually
, and having theologicalconversations and being able to
share our thoughts on certainthings and just being able to.
There's somebody for everybody.
That's.
(13:46):
What I've learned is thatthere's always somebody you can
talk to about your interests.
It might not all be in the sameperson, but like you can ask
questions around teams andyou're able to find somebody to
talk about one of your interestswith, and I love that that you
there's somebody for everybodyand I really like that.
Stephanie (14:02):
I love that too, and I hear all the time.
Lifelong relationships afterNSA yeah, super special.
So glad that y'all have that.
All right, thinking aboutstudents that aren't on student
council yet haven't had thatopportunity.
What's a practical way studentscan be leaders even though
they're not on STUCO?
Michaela (14:23):
I think in just especially in an online
landscape, it's very easy forthings to go wrong and, like we
were talking about earlier, likeI think Riley mentioned it,
it's very easy for things to notcome across the way you want
them to it.
Um, it's very easy for things tonot come across the way you
want them to um in an onlinelandscape.
And so I think that always justbeing generally just kind to
others you know setting christexample, um all that kind of
(14:46):
stuff just in your communicationwith others, just always kind
of just being kind, and you knowum thinking about others and
you know how they might takesomething.
You know what they might thinkabout something.
Um, especially you know youthinking about others and you
know how they might takesomething.
You know what they might thinkabout something, especially.
You know you would do that inreal life, but especially
heightened because you're online, so things can come across
totally different.
Yeah, and like you know, ifsomeone you know is struggling
(15:09):
or something reaching out tothem, you know being a friend,
all that kind of stuff, yeahthat's really good.
Stephanie (15:15):
You know, being a friend, all that kind of stuff
yeah, that's really good.
Riley or Michaela, can youthink of a time that maybe one
of the NSA teachers that you'vehad or staff have you learned
that type of leadership fromanyone at NSA?
Have you experienced peoplereaching out to you?
Michaela (15:30):
Yeah, definitely From teachers, staff, other students
definitely.
Just you know they noticesomething, they reach out, you
know you talk with them about itand you know it's really
encouraging and it's just youknow getting it out, talking
about it, it's just really great.
Stephanie (15:45):
Can you think of a special time, Riley, where
someone really encouraged you?
Riley (15:49):
I had posted my testimony and both of my girls group
teachers reached out to me andwere telling me that they were
so happy for me and praying forme and they um, that was really
encouraging and like if we posta prayer request, I'll have
different faculty members reachout to me telling me that
they're praying for me and thatthey're there for me if I need
to talk to them about anything.
(16:10):
And I just love that theteachers and like staff members
don't just limit themselves tolike other staff members that's
who I'm going to communicatewith but they reach out to
students and they encourage themand they let them know that
they're there for them and theywill let you.
They will tell you that theywill call with you and pray with
you if you want, and it's justa community where it's not
(16:31):
there's a line between theadults and the children where
they're not supposed to like mixwith each other and I really
love that.
It's like you don't have tofeel uncomfortable reaching out
to an adult.
It's a comfortable situationwhere you're not like, oh
goodness, I don't want to botherthem, I don't want to be a
burden by telling them something, but they really care about you
(16:53):
and that's definitely one of myfavorite things about teachers
in general is when you'retalking to them, they're like,
okay, is there anything I canpray for.
Like when you have yourmeetings once a semester and
they're like, okay, let's praytogether, is there anything I
can pray for?
And they'll reach out to youagain in a couple of weeks, so,
like, did your prayer requestget answered?
And it's like they really careabout you and I really, really
like that.
Stephanie (17:12):
That's so good to hear.
Yeah, because that is why we'rehere to help every student feel
known and to grow into justwhat God's made them to be.
So that's always great.
Michaela, you told me throughthe survey that you're
passionate about sharing Jesuswith others.
How do you see that play out inyour daily life, whether here
at NSA Stucco or beyond NSAdaily?
Michaela (17:36):
life, whether here at NSA, Stucco, or beyond NSA.
I think at NSA the amount ofjust godly conversations I've
had with people and just talkingabout you know just God and
different topics and you knowJesus, all that kind of stuff,
and it's been really upliftingthere.
As far as in my day-to-day lifein outside of msa um, you know
(17:57):
being in you know my environment, with dance and stuff it's not
a christian environment and thatcan bring up its own problem
stuff.
So being able to, you know,share christ with some of my
friends there and, um, even justyou know, I've met a few people
who are, you know, christiansin those circles and just
uplifting them and thinkingabout that verse like iron
(18:18):
sharpening, iron type of thing,because it can be a very
difficult environment and so Ithink, definitely supporting
each other there and then alsojust sharing Christ with people
in those circles, because it'sjust not a Christian one and so
it can be.
You know, sometimes reallygreat opportunities and really
great conversations I've hadwith people, um, just from me
(18:43):
saying something or you knowsaying, oh, I'm praying for you,
or something like that.
You know that's good.
Stephanie (18:48):
Yeah, relational, it's all about relationships and
conversations connecting withothers.
So, yeah, and that's what we'vebeen talking about, so cool,
all right, riley, if you couldcreate any event or initiative
for Stuko, what would it be andwhy?
Riley (19:03):
Oh wow, that is a big question.
Stephanie (19:07):
Dream big.
Riley (19:09):
Let's see, I think that like, are we talking like online
or like meet up in person kindof event?
Stephanie (19:15):
It's your dream.
Riley (19:16):
Ooh okay, the creativity is endless.
I think I would love to havelike a prom, like do a prom
thing, because as a homeschooleryou don't get to do dances and
stuff like that, and I wouldjust love that experience.
If we did like a winter formalprom ball thing, because my mom
(19:38):
got to go to a winter formalthing and I see her pictures,
I'm like I don't do that.
That looks like so much fun andso I think that I would throw
like a huge fancy dance party.
That kind of sounds reallycringy, but huge fancy dance
party.
Stephanie (19:54):
So do you know I'm sure you do that we have a live
graduation every year in person?
Yes, did you hear that lastyear we had our first ever prom
during that graduation weekend?
Riley (20:09):
I did hear about that.
I saw a couple pictures, yeah.
Stephanie (20:13):
It was small, so your vision of it's probably a lot
bigger, but that's something wecan.
Yeah, we can build on foranybody that wants to join in,
and I have a dream to be able togo around and have a bunch of
regional meetups, have like aNorthStar bus or a NorthStar
plane and go around and havefaculty staff communities, have
(20:33):
graduations at different areas.
There's lots of stuff we candream about, right, and pray for
that in-person connection.
So, yeah, thanks for sharingthat.
All right, rapid fire.
You just got to bust out andsay it.
Either of you, what's the firstword you would use to describe
NSA Students Council?
Riley (20:57):
United Intuitive.
Stephanie (21:00):
Yeah, good words.
All right, something about you.
What's your favorite food?
Sushi Tacos.
If you could go to any countryand live right now, which one?
Riley (21:12):
Italy.
That's what I was going to say.
Stephanie (21:16):
Something in common, all right.
What's the best book you'veread lately?
Riley (21:22):
Keepers of the Lost Cities series.
I can't just pick, pick one.
It's all a blur anyway.
I've read them all so fast thatthey all seem like one giant
book I'm honestly gonna say thebible, because I've not been
reading many books lately what'syour favorite candy or sugar
item?
Ice cream, ice cream yeah,flavor mint, chocolate mint.
(21:42):
Yeah, chocolate mint isprobably the best y'all have
lots in common.
Stephanie (21:48):
Dance party.
Talked about dance parties.
Riley mckayla, we know you loveto dance, so what's your
favorite song to put on, just torelease stress and dance away?
Riley (21:57):
shut up and dance by walk the moon is a really good
dancing.
Michaela (22:01):
Yeah, I was gonna say, or just like my dance friends
and I and we've danced party,especially with, like the little
kids We'll always put on, shakeit off, so fun.
Stephanie (22:12):
All right, y'all have so much in common.
Did you know that?
Michaela (22:15):
I feel like yes and no .
There are certain things.
Yes, I did know.
In certain things, no, it's notyeah.
Stephanie (22:33):
Cool, always learning here at.
Michaela (22:34):
NorthStar.
All right, as we wrap it up, isthere anything you want
students to hear from you?
Anything about NSA, how to getinvolved in the community,
something they shouldn't miss?
I?
Riley (22:42):
think just that, like get involved.
Like don't be afraid to getinvolved because it's a great
community and you're not goingto regret it because you're
going to meet amazing people.
Don't be afraid to startthreads.
If you have some random funnyquestion, put it in the
courtyard and it'll most likelyblow up and you'll get tons of
responses and you'll meet abunch of new people and, who
knows, maybe meet your longlasting new best friend.
Stephanie (22:57):
Yeah, great advice.
Y'all are so fun.
So good for me to get to knowyou a little bit.
More chocolate chip ice creamum, I'll remember that both of
you like mint.
So thank you so much forsharing about just your love for
students and the community, andyou're learning so much
lifelong learning aboutleadership and, yeah, you are
(23:17):
super fun.
So hope you can have a breaktoday.
Get up, play your favorite song, have a little dance party,
release some stress and then getback to the studies.
Get ready for a good weekend.
All right, thank you all somuch for joining me.
Riley (23:30):
Yeah, thank you for having us.
This was so much fun.
Stephanie (23:34):
Thank you so much for listening today.
If you have any questions forour guest or would like
information about NorthStar,please email us at podcast at
NSA dot school.
We love having guests on ourshow and getting to hear their
stories.
If you have anyone in mind thatyou think would be a great
guest to feature, please emailus and let us know.
And don't forget to subscribeso you don't miss out on
(23:58):
upcoming stories.
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