SECOND SEMESTER SUMMARY OF LUKE’S LEADERS ISSUE: APRIL 2025
This was a fantastic year. We had 85 Middle School students participate in our programming, up from 60 last year. We also added another partner, so now, along with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and Peace Learning Center providing curriculum, we also had the Center for Leadership Development delivering content. With more students participating and more sessions offered, our total number of student-sessions increased by 61% over last year.
Our student and parent surveys both show a strong appreciation for this programming and indicate that Luke’s Leaders has a positive impact on our students, particularly in terms of increased communication skills, confidence, and self-esteem.
We are already working on ways to add more value for Middle School students next year. We will begin registration for the 2025/2026 year beginning in August.
Have a great summer!
Tom Lange President, Luke’s Leaders
An Eighth Grade Perspective of Luke’s Leaders
Luke’s Leaders has taught me that there are many different ways to be a leader. Some ways are better than others. For example, I am a servant leader meaning that I take others into consideration whereas someone else might be an autocratic leader and focus on personal gains and control.
Luke’s Leaders has also taught me how to identify different emotions, but mainly stress. What surprised me is that there is a good stress and bad stress. Good stress is something like being stressed about tennis tryouts, so stressed that you go to the wrong tryouts completely but none-the-less you still make the team. Bad stress doesn’t feel so great. Good stress can be rewarding, and bad stress can be degrading.
I learned about values. I’m a shy, dorky, introverted girl. I tend to struggle with personal value. Luke’s Leaders has been very helpful. I feel a wider sense of confidence and understanding of myself. Although I have a long way to go, I’ve made great progress thanks to my extroverted mom and of course Luke’s Leaders.
Poster created by Northview MS Luke’s Leader member-2023
Poster created by Northview MS Luke’s Leader member-2023
Celebrating the First Annual Luke's Leaders Leadership Summit
On Saturday, January 18, Luke's Leaders held its first annual Leadership Summit. This was an opportunity to gather students from all five of our weekly groups. Fifty students attended with roughly equal representation from each of MSDWT Middle Schools. We had about 50% 6th grade students, 25% 7th and 25% 8th grades.
After being reminded of the timeless leadership qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we quickly moved to our first Speaker, Romain Benjamin. Check out Romain's music @thenameromain. After performing two raps, Mr Benjamin gave a talk where he shared his perspectives on leadership. His main points were: (1) Live on Purpose: Find your why! Make it BIG, (2) Network: You are who you hang out with, (3) Mind your Business: Continuous Self-Improvement, (4) Love and Respect: People remember how you made them feel more than what was said or done.
Our second speaker was Paula Glover from the Center for Leadership Development. Ms Glover presented on "Know Your Brand." Her main points were (1) A brand is not just a logo or name. It's what people think and say about you when you're not around. (2) Key Elements of a Brand: include your Values: Actions, Appearance/First Impressions. Ms Glover made this presentation very participative as students engaged as she gave many examples of brands.
Our students learned how leaders can be effective in addressing vital community needs. They participated in three service projects:
• Packing laundry kits for women in recovery
• Packing meal kits for homeless neighbors
• Bundling diapers for neighbors who need assistance with this expensive necessity
Finally, as we wrapped up, we had one "reporter" from each table come to the podium and share two things learned by those at their table. Here is the summary of their report:
• My friends are a reflection of me!
• A brand is based on values, actions, and how you treat others.
• It’s important to cherish your family and friends!
• A brand is not just a logo, it's what people say about me when I'm not around.
• You reflect on the people you hang out with, and can help them by supporting them.
• Lead by example and learn your core values.
Please enjoy the pictures that were taken at the Summit of the day's activities. https://stlukesumc.smugmug.com/Community-for-Contemplation-and-Justice/2025/Lukes-Leaders-Leadership-Summit
Thank you to everyone who participated in the first Leadership Summit. We are looking forward to hosting another Summit next winter!
The
Luke’s Leader
Program Celebrated Its Amazing Year with a Recognition and Celebration Luncheon for Program Students and Families
The Luke’s Leaders Program honored its middle school students of Washington Township with a recognition ceremony and celebration luncheon on Sunday, March 23, 2025. St. Luke’s UMC and Luke’s Leaders recognized the students’ accomplishments at the 11:00 a.m., worship service at the North Indy Campus, followed by a free celebration luncheon at noon. Each student received a certificate and gift from the Luke’s Leaders Program. The students and their families were all invited to participate in the event.
Students participated in the Contemporary Service as scripture readers and greeters. At the luncheon, each grade level had a student speaker. Steve Hill spoke about the volunteer experience with these students. There were representatives from Washington Township and from each of the partners.
The current school year has been an exciting one for the Luke’s Leader Program. Over 80 students participated in the Program that includes community service projects, learning about leadership, and developing leadership and communication skills. The Youth in Government group, comprised of 8th graders, continues to amaze and impress all who know these students. One student,
Jeremiah Simms, the Social Justice award presented by the Washington Township School Board for his work in writing legislation in the Luke’s Leaders Youth in Government Program. The entire group was also recognized by the Washington Township School Board.
Thomas Lange, president of the Luke’s Leaders Program, stated “The well-established and well-respected organizations in our community provide curricula specifically designed for helping middle school students develop leadership skills. Developing leadership skills is not linear, and the pace is not the same for any two students. It is truly a beautiful thing to hear our students discuss current topics of interest with passion and understanding. Every week, we see the middle school students developing confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills (even listening!). They are a joy to be with, and we are blessed to be on this leadership journey with them.”
While the program has ended for the year, it will start again in September once school is back in session. Registration will be open again in August 2025.
Please enjoy the photos taken at the event. Click here to download: https://stlukesumc.smugmug.com/Community-for-Contemplation-and-Justice/2025/Lukes-Leaders-Celebration
LUKE’S LEADERS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT GROUP - 8TH
GRADE
In January, our program’s focus changed to an emphasis on Personal Growth and Leadership with our partner, the Center for leadership Development. By adding this new program, we were able to provide opportunities for new 8th graders that were not necessarlily interested in Youth & Government.
This eight session program was a collection of workshops designed to empower students with practical skills, knowledge, and inspiration. Impactful, leadership-focused experiences were had by the students. Sessions will be led by Paula Grove, facilitator from the Center for Leadership Development.
Sessions included:
• Character Traits of a Successful Student
• Building Resiliency
• How to become a Leader
• Your Choice, Your Action, Your Future
• Students and Stress Management
• Reclaiming Mental Health and Well-Being
• High School 101
Paula Grove Center for Leadership Development
Students:
Rakan Aldkeel, Gloria Bahati , Aneia Christian, Vaniya Clark, Jackson Cominsky, Marlon Dabney, Melinda Davis, Brea Gipson-Ford, Karson Haas, Zy’Air Lanier, Mariah Lawrence , Martez Lewis, Julieta Liborio, Yamileth Lopez, Eli Luna, I’Rihanna Lynch, Leslie Lyrigue, Jackson May, PJ Meneley, Reas Meneley, Heather Montgomery, Morgan Murray, Percy Ocasio, Preston Peterson , Malia Price, Cashius Randle , Saint Rodarmel ,Diego Rodas Estrada ,Jeremiah Sims , Ashlee Taylor, Joshua Thompson , Mariah Townsend, Chloee Warren, Isabell Wilson, Davieanna Young, Solomon, Anna, Kevin KJ Davis
Mentors: Gary Chambers, Nelson Lentz, Jennifer Thompson
LUKE’S LEADERS-LEADERS CLUB - 7TH GRADE
During the fall and spring semesters this year, our 7th grade students took part in the YMCA Leaders Club! Leaders Club supports the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility through community service and engagement. During the Fall semester, the students focused on getting to know each other, their adult leaders, and recognizing leadership qualities in themselves. Students ran for leadership positions such as President and Vice President, Set-up Coordinator, and Supply Manager! During the Spring semester, students focused on learning about their communities and how they can make a difference. Over the
year, we had the chance to partner with Hamilton Humane Society to make catnip socks for cats in the shelter and with St. Luke’s to bundle diapers for families who need them. The students were also able to go through a poverty simulation and learn about prominent issues affecting their communities, such as food insecurity, being unhoused, and more of life’s challenges. We saw so much growth in the students throughout the year, and we cannot wait to see what they do next year!
Laney Marshall, Facilitator
Anders Kleiman, Faciltor
Greater YMCA of Indianapolis
Students:
Isabella Alao, Felicity Beck, Izaiah Brookens, Kaliyah Brown, Myliana Bushfield, Elijah Carter, Kayden Davis, Kamore’ Dunson, Xavier Eskew, Miles Franklin, Darrell (DJ) Harris, Zaiden Keys, Max Kitchel, Taylor Lunley, Jade McCray, Sariah Moore, O’Sullivan Nicole, Phararoh Parsons, Yariana Rivera Martínez , Diego Rodas Estrada , Moore Sariah, Nolan Smitherman, Caleb Turner , Luciano Villarroel, Dymond Williams
Mentors: Barbara and Mike Branic
LUKE’S LEADERS SIXTH GRADE GROUPS
Throughout the 6th grade Luke’s Leaders program, the students explored opportunities to strengthen their sense of self and to think critically about how their values, goals, and communication styles contribute to their unique leadership journeys. It was incredible to see the development of each student as they discovered their voice, identified their own leadership strengths, and made genuine connections with their fellow Luke’s Leaders peers. These students’ leadership journeys are just getting started, and we are thrilled to see how they continue to blossom into the community and world leaders we know they can be.
