A few weeks ago, five students from Shadow Ridge High School embarked on an exciting journey to Chicago, Illinois. Waking up at 3 a.m., they rushed to the airport and took a four hour flight, eager to participate in a trans-formative leadership experience. These students, juniors, Scarlet West, Bryon Simmons, and sophomores, Esmeralda Amador, Leila Green, and Piper Stewart, were accompanied by Rebecca Coyle, Shadow Ridge High School’s Student Council Advisor, and Traci Kannon, Shadow’s Principal. Their destination was a prestigious student council and National Honor Society (NHS) conference, where they had the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and learn from fellow student leaders across the country.
The conference provided an invaluable experience for these students allowing them to gain insight into leadership on a national level. Esmeralda Amador, Sophomore Class President, and member of NHS, stated, “I feel that seeing differing viewpoints on a national scale helped me gain insight on how people interact with their communities differently. It helped me gain inspiration and new ideas.”
It is important to mention that leadership is about more than just taking charge. It’s about effective communication and teamwork. Simmons, member of Student Council and the Executive Board at Shadow Ridge, highlighted one of his key takeaways from the conference. “I learned that communication is key in creating a positive bond between the people you are working alongside.”
The ability to communicate effectively and create a strong team dynamic is a crucial skill for any leader. This trip gave the students a chance to practice and refine that skill.
Beyond the leadership lessons, the trip to Chicago was also a memorable experience for the students.
West shared, “My favorite part of this trip was most likely meeting people from all over and hanging out with my council.”
The chance to connect with students from different schools, exchange ideas, and build powerful relationships made this trip even more special.
The students of Shadow Ridge High School returned from Chicago with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to apply their newfound skill to make a positive impact at their school.
As Shadow continues to foster leadership among its students, experiences like these serve as a reminder that great leaders are not just born, but they are made. During this trip, the students discovered that through learning, collaboration with others, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones they too, can be great leaders.
