High school and elementary school join forces
A unique event to build leadership skills in Osoyoos youth took place at the Sonora Centre last Friday.
Students from Stan Coutu's Leadership 11 class joined forces with Osoyoos Elementary Grade 7 students to do a series of leadership workshops.
The students divided into four teams and attended four workshops throughout the day.
The workshops included Communication (led by Osoyoos Elementary Principal Farida Lubbers and Vice Principal Chris Hambleton), What is a Leader? (led by Stan Coutu), Ad it up/How- to events (led by Sonora Centre Recreation Programmer Carol Flynn), and Way to go, Einstein (led by parent Joanne Yarmola).
Student Leadership Day was the brainchild of Carol Flynn, who has organized similar events in Penticton.
The elementary school approached me to design a program that would inspire Grade 7 students to take leadership roles in the school, Flynn explained.
The Ad it up/How-to events workshop I led basically dealt with ideas about advertising school events and dances to make sure there is a good turnout.rnFlynn said that Queen's Park Elementary School in Pentiction participted in such a program, and the results were amazing.
We tried to get the kids to commit to making a difference in the community by, for example, setting up a recycling program at their school or organizing fundraising activities.
When we went back to see what they came up with, I was blown away by the imagination and hard work the kids put into their activities, Flynn said.
At the end of the four sessions, all the students participated in a team challenge activity to teach cooperation and team-building. Then they heard inspirational stories about what other youth have done and brainstormed for new ideas.
Grade 7 student Maverick Seed said he enjoyed the leadership session.
It was fun. We also learned to be responsible, since we're the top grade, and to look out for everyone else at school, said Seed.
Grade 7 student Catarina Ceia agreed the session was worthwhile.
I learned it's good to keep a positive attitude and that one of the most important things about working with others is trust, Ceia said.
I learned that it's important to listen to other people's ideas, added Grade 7 student Connie Diessner.
The Leadership 11 students also learned a few things during the workshops. All agreed that communication skills are important when dealing with other people.
You have to persevere when things get tough. Kids don't always understand what you're trying to tell them, said Grade 11 student Deep Gill.
Candace Schroeter said it was a different environment than what she was used to at high school. It was a lot of fun, but I realized that you have to explain things differently to kids. I also learned that when there are problems, you have to be creative and work to solve them with what tools you have.rnLeader Zach Poturica said one of the important things he learned at the end of the day is how to gain leadership skills and to make sure everyone feels involved.
Brandi Moore added that, although the sessions were fun, she learned patience in dealing with younger kids.
Carol Flynn said the objective of Friday's workshop was for the Grade 7s to raise the quality of life at their school and take on positive roles in the future.
We want to see the kids take leadership a step further and consider volunteering in the community or even leading programs themselves someday at the Sonora Centre.rn
