It can be hard to keep up a student's enthusiasm for community service and school spirit projects during the school year. Over the years, Natrona County High School student council adviser Bruce Berst has learned how do it.

"You push and you prod and you beg and you plead," Berst said. "And you train kids to be a good leader."

All the pleading has paid off for Berst and the students involved in the school's student council.

Both Natrona County and Kelly Walsh high school student councils have been awarded the title of Honor Council with Meritorious Distinction by the Wyoming Association of Student Councils.

Natrona County has won the award for six consecutive years. Kelly Walsh won the award for the first time.

In addition, Natrona County was awarded a National Gold Council of Excellence award at the National Student Council Convention.

Only 126 councils nationwide and two in Wyoming were given the award. Tongue River's student council also won.

To qualify for the awards, both councils put together books of all the community service and school events they sponsored. The thick binders detail just how much time and effort goes into being a member of student council.

"People do look toward us as student leaders," said Brett Kahler, student body president at Kelly Walsh. "It took the effort of the entire council (to win)."

Brett said students have a sort of "silent respect" for members of student council, and that the council's work goes beyond planning Homecoming or the next pep assembly.

"Any group in school that needs help can come to student council," he said.

Joel Defebaugh, student body president at Natrona County, said NC's council members have a strong initiative to see their projects come alive.

"We actually get stuff done," Joel said. "The kids in it like to have that follow through."

Joel said as president, he feels an even stronger push to continue the work done by past councils.

"I feel obligated to live up to and go over what past presidents have done," Joel said. "You get respect from being in the council, both from peers and teachers."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.