TOWNSHEND — Backed by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, Leland & Gray Student Council advisors Karren Meyer and Principal Dorinne Dorfman recently led a three-hour youth culture leadership training for high school student council members, captains of athletics teams, representatives of the National Honor Society, music programs, and the L&G Players.
In all, 28 students participated in guided whole-group discussion, reviewed scenarios, presented ideas, and met in breakout groups.
Theater director and NHS advisor Annie Landenberger and athletics/activities director Marty Testo met with their respective groups; class advisors Amanda Dixon, Johanna Liskowsky-Doak, and Susan Jones joined to meet with class representatives.
According to Dorfman, who reported on the training at the Sept. 10 school board meeting, although L&G students have attended leadership training with other organizations, this was the first such experience designed and held by L&G personnel, notwithstanding the annual restorative justice facilitator training, which will be held again this fall.
“As student council advisors,” Dorfman said, “we hope to continue in-house leadership training and foster a strong youth leader culture."
In her report, Dorfman said the major focus was on representing perspectives and ideas other than one's own.
In order to do this, she said, students needed to feel empathy; assume good will; consider the person's needs and interests and what it would take to achieve them; determine the basis for agreement or disagreement; ask, 'What can be done?' and find opportunities to act in line with personal and shared values.