Retreat sharpens skills of emerging leaders

by Caroline Cinquino staff writer

This past weekend, the annual Emerging Leaders Retreat was held at the Woodlands in Wilk:esBarre, Pennsylvania.

The students selected to be a pan of the program were first year students nominated by teachers, friends and staff members for displaying the attitude and skiJis of potential leaders.

The retreaf was organized by the Student Activities Board assisted by older students, many of whom had been chosen in previous years to be a pan of the retreat.

Motivational speaker Jack Chambers, who came highly recommended by other colleges, led the event. The program consisted of "Jacktivities," group activities designed to loosen up the group and bond them together in their joint efforts to enhance their leadership skills, teamwork and problem-solving.

As the weekend unfolded, the activities proved to be successful. Retreat Staff member Trish Arnold stated, "You could see a lot of potential in the students as leaders."

Staff member Colin McGinley shared a similar response, "The little things really matter. Someone takes charge and gets things going."

Both Arnold and McGinley agreed upon the idea that the retreat enabled each individual to "learn through play."

The experience was meant to bring students together in a laid back and fun atmosphere to work on their own abilities as leaders.

One student who attended the retreat, John Verdi, stated of the experience, "I definitely got much out of this retreat. I believe that I will be capable of any circumstances that I may fall into with any organization that I will belong to or contribute to. I think that my leadership abilities have grown through this retreat, and I hope to use them to the best of my ability."

Another student, Kristen Scarborough, will soon have the opportunity to put her newly improved leadership skills to the test.

Scarborough will be aiding Campus Ministry in leading the spring break trip to Appalachia, a program intended to aid those in need of more suitable living conditions.

The head of student activities, Bridget Baxter, felt that the retreat was a success and plans to continue to hold it in upcoming years.

Many of the students chosen to attend such retreats have the potential to be the leaders of tomorrow.

If the retreats contribute in any way to building strong leaders for the future, the program will have been a success.