Evansville and Brandon seniors experience leadership training

• Image

Seniors from Brandon and Evansville high schools are taking part in a Learning for Life, a leadership development program.

Talk about it

“Leaders are not born, they are groomed,” is a statement that Rick Bleichner, Evansville School superintendent, has shared with many students, particularly the seniors at the Evansville and Brandon school districts.

“I so strongly believe that the majority of leadership is a learned characteristic and it needs to be taught at a young age,” he said. “We are giving our seniors an opportunity to learn and grow that trait.”

The senior class from both the Evansville and Brandon schools are partaking in a leadership development program called Learning For Life. The leadership training series is being taught by the Boy Scouts of America, and both schools are bringing their senior classes together to act as a pilot for other schools in the area.

The leadership series consists of a three-hour team building session and six one-hour sessions scheduled throughout the remainder of the school year.

The first session was held on October 20 at Chippewa County Park located near Brandon. The rest of the sessions will occur on a monthly basis.

The program will include guest speakers, motivational speakers and a unique set of curriculum that has been established to guide the leadership experience.

Jim Stratton, senior district executive for the Boy Scouts of America, will coordinate this program.

“This program will help develop their full potential to be future leaders in the community,” commented Stratton.

A total of 45 seniors attended the first session.

Evansville senior Jill Lundeen said, “It was really a great experience. We learned so much about each other and about being leaders. I am looking forward to the coming sessions.”

Brandon seniors Kristi Schaeffer and Carli Randt commented, “We learned how to work together through many team building activities. During the event different people took on a variety of roles that contributed to the group’s success.”

“I think this training provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and to think differently to find solutions,” noted Tom Trisko, Brandon principal.

Local charitable organizations are helping to fund the program.

Tags: life, school, leadership, training, evansville, brandon