Annual State Leadership Conference
The Ohio Association of Student Leaders State Conference is our organization’s longest-running annual event — a two-day celebration of student leadership, collaboration, and inspiration. Although there have been some changes over time, for 73 years, the State Conference has united student leaders, advisors, and schools from across Ohio for an unforgettable weekend of growth and connection. Each spring, hundreds of students gather to explore new leadership skills through keynote speakers, small group workshops, and interactive sessions designed to challenge and empower young leaders to make a positive difference in their schools and communities.
Since 1953, OASL has been dedicated to teaching leadership, organizational, and people skills to student leaders across Ohio. The State Conference continues that proud tradition, serving as both a capstone event and a launchpad for the next generation of leaders. Whether it’s your first time attending or your final conference as a senior, OASL’s annual gathering reminds us that leadership is about more than titles it’s about connection, courage, and creating lasting impact together.
At the OASL State Conference, students and advisors spend a weekend building leadership skills, connecting with peers, and making a positive impact in their schools and communities. Activities include:
Interactive small group workshops led by student leaders, OASL Alumni, stakeholders and partner organizations
Annual service project
Inspiring keynote speakers
Celebrating achievements through awards and special events
Electing State Representatives
Networking and collaborating with student leaders from across Ohio
Gaining practical skills and ideas to bring back to their schools
What do you do at State Conference?
The OASL State Conference is held at a different high school in Ohio each year, giving students the opportunity to experience leadership in a new community and setting. Over the years, the conference has traveled all across the state, from large urban schools to smaller towns, showcasing the diversity of Ohio’s student leaders. Each host school plays an important role in welcoming attendees, organizing activities, and creating a memorable experience for everyone. We are always looking for the next host school — it could be your school!
Where is it hosted?
Any OASL member school student currently in grades 6-12.
Not a member school? If you are not a member, it is easy to sign up on our website for only $150 a year and obtain many other member benefits.
Who can attend?
At the State Conference, we pause to celebrate excellence and leadership through our awards and recognition programs. Outstanding students and schools are honored for their service, leadership growth, and commitment to making a positive difference in their communities. In addition, attendees have a direct voice in shaping the organization’s future during the election of the State Board of Representatives—students and advisors from member schools can run for leadership roles, campaign, and vote to select the voices that will represent them across Ohio. It’s a powerful moment of recognition, responsibility, and change.
Awards, Recognition, Elections!
Conference Host Schools, Location, & Advisors over the years!
1954 DeVilbiss High School, Toledo, Robert Rettig
1955 Bexley High School, Bexley, Marion Thomas, H.V. Tipton
1956 Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, Richard Klyver
1957 Talawanda High School/Miami Univ., Oxford, Carol Garner, C. Neale Bogneer
1958 Mansfield Senior High School, Mansfield, Herman Bishop
1959 Whitehall-Yearling High School, Columbus, Luella Compton
1960 North High School, Eastlake, Lorella McKinley
1961 Wayne Co. Area Student Councils/Wooster High School, Wooster, Betty Staibell
1962 Beavercreek High School, Xenia, Roger Sweet
1963 Toledo Area Student Councils/Whitmer High School, Toledo, Harriet Abell, Robert Barber, David Krost
1964 Franklin Co. Area Student Councils/Hamilton Twp. High School, Columbus, Doris Leonard
1965 Findlay High School, Findlay, Ralph Miller
1966 Greater Cincinnati Assoc. of Student Councils/Maderia High School, Cincinnati, Frank Lang
1967 Elyria High School, Elyria, Ernest Watts, David Billheimer
1968 Marietta High School, Marietta, Stephen Haid
1969 River View High School, Warsaw, Martin Baumgardner
1970 Sandusky High School, Sandusky, Donald Nath
1971 Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe, Earl Burnett, Greg Kordic
1972 Fostoria High School, Fostoria, Steven Rhodes
1973 South High School, Willoughby, Virginia Forbes, Greg Kordic
1974 Northwest High School, Cincinnati, Ken Kaffenberg
1975 Bucyrus High School, Bucyrus, Daphne Swearingen
1976 Alliance High School, Alliance, Richard Morris, Kathy Dosa
1977 Malabar High School, Mansfield, Richard Baker
1978 Lakota High School, West Chester, Carolyn Hale
1979 River View High School, Warsaw, Martin Baumgardner
1980 Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent, Ron Moss
1981 Westerville Schools, Westerville, Andre’ Prenoveau, JanHamann, Barry Ackerman, Mary Mahoney
1982 Beachwood High School, Beachwood, Barbera Schultz
1983 St. Peter’s High School, Mansfield, John Irwin, Dave LAtchuk
1984 Springfield North High School, Conrad Turner
1985 Northwest High School, Cincinnati, Ken Kaffenberg
1986 Swanton High School, Toledo, John J. Schultz
1987 Medina High School, Medina, Jeanne Pritchard
1988 Circleville High School, Circleville, Karen Bensonhaver
1989 Elida High School, Elida, Rob Cusick
1990 Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent, Peggy Nichol
1991 Swanton High School, Toledo, John J. Schultz
1992 Anderson High School, Cincinnati, Bill Jolley
1993 Huron High School, Huron
1994 River View High School, Martin Baumgardner
1995 Elida High School, Elida, Rob Cusick
1996 Northwest High School, Cincinnati, Patty Dailey, Dan Hudson
1997 Cambridge High School, Cambridge, Pam Givens
1998 Black River Schools, Sullivan, Connie Miley
1999 Cuyahoga Falls High School, Cuyahoga Falls, Greg Roth
2000 Theodore Roosevelt High School, Kent, Leslie Leonard, David Hurst
2001 Bucyrus High School, Bucyrus, Bill Fisher, Scott Barkhurst
2002 Westerville Schools, Westerville, Don Ogle, Jennifer Siegel
2003 Northwest High School, Cincinnati, Patty Dailey, Shannon Bowling
2004 Medina High School, Medina, Jeanne Pritchard, Laura Calaiacovo
2005 Cuyahoga Falls High School, Cuyahoga Falls, Greg Roth
2006 Elyria High School, Elyria, John Shepka
2007 Fort Jennings High School, Fort Jennings, Jeff Jostpille
2008 William Mason High School, Mason, Maria Correale Mueller, Stephanie Nally
2009 Bishop Watterson High School, Columbus, Trisha Hulme
2010 Celina High School, Celina, Wendy Mitchell-Payne
2011 Fort Jennings High School, Fort Jennings, Jeff Jostpille
2012 Revere High School, Richfield, Kathy Shisler, Nichole Bruce
2013 Mansfield Middle/Senior High Schools, Jennifer Lepard, Kathy Hoecker
2014 Port Clinton High School, Port Clinton, Mike Spencer, Scott Cross
2015 Wellington High School, Wellington
2016 Mansfield Senior High School, Mansfield, Jennifer Lepard
2017 Clinton-Massie High School, Clarksville, Kelley Felder
2018 Fort Jennings High School, Fort Jennings, Jeff Jostpille
2019 Celina High School, Celina, Kristen Kerns
2020 Port Clinton High School, Port Clinton, Scott Cross, Nichole Wiechman - Virtual
2021 Medina High School, Medina, Laura Calaiacovo, Marcie Komar - Virtual
2022 Wellington High School, Wellington, Robbi McCarty - Virtual
2023 Grove City High School, Grove City, Kaitlin O’Hara, Michael Crabtree
2024 New Albany High School, New Albany, Anthony Paletta, Alexa Matinides
2025 Port Clinton High School, Port Clinton, Scott Cross, Nichole Wiechman
2026 Belpre High School, Belpre, Robin White