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High School Phase I
I In the High School Phase I Academy stepped students focused on personal leadership out of my comfort development. Through the use of expezone and learned a lot riential learning strategies and physical about myself and how and mental challenges, students reto be a good leader. flected upon their decision-making —Student and behaviors. Students also developed a Personal Leadership Plan designed to guide students through personal goal setting and creating personal mission and vision statements. Participants: Rosa Alesi, Joseph Ardolino, Martin Bacik, Alex Bogdanova, Maura Boston, Alex Bowman, Brenna Carse, Erica Chuong, Ananya Cleetus, Olivia Criss, Alexandra DiCenzo, Clayton Dubbs, Mary Dudas, Yasaswi Duvvuru, Catherine Engel, Will Erlanger, Alivia Fink, Peter Frauen, Paige Gillen, Shivani Gosai, Aaron Harris, Garrett Himler, Steven Joiner, Noah Kalathunkal, Lindsey Kirkpatrick, Colin Kunselman, Nathan Lachell, Jacob Lemis, Alex Loverich Bernard, Kaleigh Mace, Carson Mafrice, Shibani Mally, Mark McTiernan, Anna Meenen, Owen Meiman, Sarah Meiman, JP Miller, Nikita Nagpal, Olivia Nusselt, Eliana Ondrejko, Chrysann Panos, Sam Park, Nick Ramser, Evan Roy, Hassan Saeed, Nick Sembrat, Katherine Snyder, Emily Sota, Yash Tripathi, Greg Vitcavage Facilitators: Mike Funfar, Jen Kirk, Johanna Rennoff, Jen Wagner Academy leader: Lou Angelo I think that we learned a lot about ourselves, but also about others and how to motivate people. —Student
High School Phase II
Students piloting the High School Phase II Academy took their leadership skills a step further. Compared to Phase I where the students are forced to look intrinsically, Phase II students began the process of looking extrinsically by initiating an organization that serves others while reflecting a personal connection to the cause. Students created the mission and vision for these organizations and will continue working on the organization plans throughout the school year. Participants: Maria Alessi, Marissa Behun, Milo Freese, Sean Gaudio, Poorwa Godbole, Hannah Harris, John Kyriacopoulos, Peter Rigano, Mackenzie Rodgers, Jordan Ryan, Adam Sneath, Morgan Wangler, Tara Williams Facilitators: Doug Kirchner, Lou Angelo Academy leader: Lou Angelo It is fun. You get to learn to have open heart conversations with the group and learn because you want to. —Student
Erica Chuong scales the rope ladder prior to making her final ascent through the hanging tire. Moments later she completed the climb and stood on the tire at 70 feet in the air.
Partners Jacob Lemis and Nick Ramser work together to ascend the vertical ladder. USCHS participants
Phase II improved my What’s Next? leadership skills through Lou Angelo, USCHS assistant principal and creator of the District’s Student Leadership Academy, the inspiration of thinking continues to tweak his vision for the students. “For the most part, my vision continues to be the same: to big into the future as well as institute a program to foster leadership skills for all students K-12, but the reality is developing leadership celebrating small victories. skills isn’t a one-week plunge, it’s a lifelong journey. I envision getting to a point where these leadership —Student skills are part of a positive District-wide behavioral support plan implemented in each school building and valued as part of our culture at Upper St. Clair.” Lou and his team of facilitators plan to develop Phases III and IV for the high school, and consideration to expand the programming for the students at the elementary and middle level buildings has already begun. “Our students and families deserve tremendous credit for recognizing the importance of developing leadership skills, some sacrificing their summer vacation to participate,” Lou said. “In addition, our teams of facilitators and academy leaders did a tremendous job creating lessons that forced our students to reflect and grow. The Student Leadership Academy has been so fortunate to have the unwavering support of our school board, administration, and community, and with this type of commitment, we can really impact our children as students today and adults tomorrow.” n 34
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Winter 2011