SD
Student Leadership Academy 2011
This past July, the Upper St. Clair School District hosted its second annual Student Leadership Academy. After the success of last year’s inaugural academy, the District’s administrative team decided to expand this educational program and make it available to students at all levels. In July 2010, the one-week summer workshop at the high school accepted 20 students. Only one year later, 122 students attended five different academies spanning grades 4, 6, 8, and 9-12. All five of the academies operated from the foundational principle: Who you are is how you lead. This concept illustrates the importance of and relationship between personal development as a means of cultivating leadership skills. As Dr. Charles Schwahn, a professional educator, author, consultant, and speaker at the academy said, “If you don’t have your personal act together, don’t expect to have your leadership act together.” Through the use of experiential learning strategies, reflection, and goal setting, all students began their journey of personal leadership development. It Elementary Boyce was neat to During the USC Elementary Leadership Academy week, The Boyce Leadership Academy pro- hear the kids begin to students experienced a variety of hands-on activities, geared to vided the opportunity for students to articulate what makes a developing their understanding of five of the leadership cor- expand on the core qualities of leader- great leader... not just the nerstones: Commitment, Teamwork, Integrity, Courage, and ship. Throughout the week, students “boss.” These skills would Reflection. Students enjoyed being “master architects,” crossing participated in a variety of activities that be helpful for many the “Alligator River,” and encouraging one another at a climb- allowed for application of the ten core adults. —Parent ing wall. qualities and self-reflection of strengths and Daily time for journal reflection needs in regards to the core qualities. Students My helped the students to make connechad the ultimate task of developing and “leading” younger chilson learned tions to their own experiences and dren in a recreational activity. Through peer and self-reflection, a great deal about to plan how they would intentionstudents gained further insight of their leadership skills. This the importance of ally integrate the cornerstones into group of students will meet throughout the school year for further teamwork and listening their daily lives. As the team looks to others, and how these reflection, discussion, and growth. to the 2011-12 school year, students relate to being a good are poised to provide leadership in Participants: Sanath Boddhula, Sahil Doshi, Thejaswi Duvvuru, leader.—Parent each elementary school, putting the Mary Claire Engel, Elizabeth Gillece, Jonah Glunt, Katy Hall, cornerstones into action. Matthew Higgs, Wyatt Keating, Laura Lapham, Ashley Long, Emily Megonnell, Samuel Ramos, Arsalan Saeed, David Sileo, Participants: Eden Auslander, Casey Bakayza, Maggie Daniel Speer, Samantha Spina Halloran, Allison Schuldt, Vianna Shiry, Andrew Casey, Olivia Facilitators: Amy Antonio, Mark Goelz, Justin Gremba, Gregory, Nathan Hamel, Nicholas Heinrich, Matthew Hyatt, Kathy Hoedeman Ashley Joyner, Justin Maglin, Caroline McCormack, Nathan Academy leader: Amy Pfender Piatt, Brody Ploeger, Callahan Sollie, Gabriella Spina, Loren White, Cosette Bayles, Jacob Conte, Isabela Couoh, Devan Ekbote, Gavin Genter, Marty Gold, Keith Kerber, Ian Kirby, Jackie Kobeski, Demi Kucherawy, Gracie Lowden, Luke McDonnell, Isabella Putorti, Anika Sinha Facilitators: Matt Alloway, Liz Conrad, Nicole Lesovitch, Renee McCarthy, Lauren Mechler, Leslie Smirniw, Stacey Templeton, Tim Wagner Academy leader: Dr. Claire Miller
Boyce participants
T h i s camp was one that was initially “My parents are making me do this.” However, after the first day, our child was so excited and couldn’t wait to go the rest of the week. Her comment was, “Mom, thank you for signing me up, I love it. Dad and you really know what is best for me.”—Parent
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
I learned that you have to be open to new things and take risks once in a while. —Student Playing a game called “hoop it up” where each team is trying to get the 20 balls into their hula hoop. After a few minutes and many attempts, they realize that if the entire group works together and puts their hula hoops together, everyone wins. Winter 2011