Elon University hosted the 5th annual Alamance Youth Leadership Academy, July 22-25. Twenty-five rising 7th grades learned about leadership through character building activities, outdoor ropes course adventures and civic engagement. Details...
Turrentine Middle School and Burlington Day School students invest their summer vacation to participate in the program, which is administered by the Center for Leadership at Elon University, Alamance Community College and Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce. The program involves students in creating a common good project for their school.
The program is directed by Rex Waters, associate dean of students. Facilitators were Elon students Hilaire Pickett and Liz Oliver, Alamance Community College graduate Brian Woodard and Williams High School alumni Matt and Heather Waters.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to work with this group of young leaders,” said Cailtin Melia, summer graduate intern in the Center for Leadership. “So many people from across the county have collaborated to educate them and watch them develop the leadership skills they need to have to impact their community for the future.”
Students spent Sunday evening learning about one another and discovering the strengths of different leadership styles. On Monday they participated in an outdoor ropes course and were introduced to communication and community definitions. The FISH philosophy was another key component, designed to improve morale and participation in groups. Civic responsibility and integrity were also a part of the curriculum through interactive and engaging discussions and workshops.
At the conclusion of the program, the students will present their ideas for change in their schools to administrators and parents.
The student participants included Seth Baker, Doug Beckner, Tanner Johnson, Mary McDonald, Addie Walker and Elgin Yalin from Burlington Day School. Elizabeth Adams, Caroline Anderson, Mallory Bartles, Josie Detomo, Dylan Dove, Megan Ebert, Scott Ellington, Lauren Isley, Lauren Koury, Sierra Mumphrey, Akash Patel, Madeline Perrou, LaShae Petron, Jessie Price, Peter Soewardiman, Princess Stone, Stephanie Touloupas and Tess Wolverton were the participants from Turrentine Middle School.
For more information about the program, contact Rex Waters at 336-278-5323 or e-mail Rex at waters@elon.edu