Leadership is more than learning how to lead a group. It is learning to listen, communicate, solve problems and work alongside people who may not look, think or approach a challenge the same way you do.
That is the vision behind a new direction for the Leadership In Action capstone experience through the Young Leaders Institute at Carroll County High School.
Bill Lewis, executive director of the Carroll County Community Development Corporation, and Cheri Mann, a CCHS teacher and leader of the Young Leaders Institute, are working alongside local business and governmental leaders to create a more meaningful, hands-on experience for students.
The Young Leaders Institute brings together juniors and seniors at CCHS and focuses on developing the skills students need to become effective leaders. This year, the Leadership In Action capstone is being redesigned to take those lessons beyond the classroom and put students directly into the community.
Students will partner with local organizations, businesses and governmental groups to help plan and execute real events and projects. They will attend meetings, work alongside adults, communicate professionally and take responsibility for meaningful pieces of the work.
The foundation begins during students’ junior year through five leadership classes covering topics such as public speaking, problem solving and communication. Community leaders will also be invited to speak to students, giving them an opportunity to learn directly from people who use those skills every day.
Then, during their senior year, students will put those lessons into action.
An upcoming Leadership In Action open house on Sept. 1 will connect students directly with potential community partners. Organizations will have an opportunity to share their mission, upcoming events and areas where students could contribute. Students will ask questions, learn more about the organizations and ultimately choose an opportunity that connects to their interests.
Students will select an organization and work alongside its leaders to develop a project. The goal is not simply to volunteer, but to become part of the planning process, attend meetings and learn how an organization operates. Those experiences also expose students to community leaders who can help them see possibilities for their future that they may not have considered.
“We want to generate these experiences in their mind and help shape them into who they become,” Lewis said.
The program also focuses on something students cannot fully learn from a textbook: how to work with adults in a professional setting.
Lewis and Mann will remain involved throughout the process, while community partners will serve as mentors and help students grow in confidence and leadership.
Ultimately, Lewis and Mann see Leadership In Action as more than a senior project. They envision a leadership pipeline that connects classroom learning to real-world experience while giving students a stronger connection to their community.
“The classroom introduces leadership, but we develop it,” Lewis said.
Lewis hopes the new model will grow into a premier leadership development opportunity, one students are eager to join and community organizations are eager to support.
“I want this program to be a top-tier program,” he said. “I want students to fight to get into this program.”