Alamance teens at Elon program to pitch school improvement projects – June 25

Rising seventh graders from Alamance County will offer ways to improve their school communities during a formal presentation on Wednesday as part of the 6th annual Alamance Youth Leadership Academy.

The leadership academy hosted by Elon University involves 37 students from Turrentine Middle School, Burlington Day School, Graham Middle School, and Hawfields Middle School.

What: Student presentations to administrators, parents and faculty advisers on ways to improve school communities at four Alamance County schools.
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Time: 10:15 a.m.
Location: McCoy Commons, Room 212 – the building is located across the street from the main entrance to the Center for the Arts.

The students from each school will identify three areas they believe could be improved upon in their schools. Then, in cooperation with administrators who will be present Wednesday representing each school, the students will select ONE proposal as a common project for the 2008-2009 school year.

In past years, in partnership with school leadership, students developed outdoor clean-up and recycling activities; they created “Adopt a Hallway” activities to encourage litter-free corridors; and they fostered school spirit with the purchase of a new mascot and by standardizing school colors (of which there had been many shades of green.)

“Each year I am impressed at the level of understanding of these seventh graders and what they say is important in their school community,” said Rex Waters, associate dean of students at Elon and coordinator of the leadership academy. “They impress you with their energy and enthusiasm, and they really care about what goes on in their school.”