Fourth hour Leadership class is back this year, and they are already making an impact.
The class recently went to Detroit to volunteer their entire school day, September 18, to Motor City Blight Busters; a volunteer organization started by John George devoted to rebuilding Detroit one house at a time.
“This was definitely a highlight for me,” said senior Tommy Stacy, “Tearing down the house!”
Like Stacy, the rest of the class participated in cleaning out a house that had been set on fire in 1999. The group removed debris and tore it down to the ground, using sledge hammers and axes.
At the end of the day, the majority of the class was covered in dirt from their hard work and dedication. They had filled up an entire dumpster with pieces of the old house, and even when the students left, there would still be work to do for the Motor City Blight Busters.
Back in the classroom, Leadership class remains unorthodox.
In leadership class, students learn to better understand who they are and work better with other people. To do this there are many open discussion seminars, internet blogs, and assigned readings on little known but influential leaders such as Veronica Khosa who devoted her life to fighting AIDS in Africa. As the year goes on, guest speakers will be addressing the students about issues such as cheating.
“It’s a different way of learning; it’s a lot more hands on and it’s not your traditional school experience,” said senior Ryan Miner. “There is more reflecting than understanding involved in the curriculum.”
“I really like the field trips because they bring the class together and they are a lot of fun,” said teacher Robin Moten.
The class started to bond during a field trip to Bower’s Farm on September 11th. In this experience the students worked together to get through an outdoor low ropes and challenge course.
“We are all really different but we still all get along well,” said senior Allie Gasiorowski.
Leadership class began in the fall of 2006, based on the plan to teach its students to mentor younger freshman, and start a tradition of leadership at Seaholm.
“The first class had specific freshmen assigned to them and weekly assignments when the course was half way through,” said Moten.
Leadership class returned to Seaholm in 2007. As a result of the implementation of the trimester, the class became more academic. There were also less struggling freshmen so the focus became to help the AI students at Seaholm.
“I took this class because I wanted to learn to be a better leader and person,” said Stacy.
Leadership only takes place for one trimester each year. Each year the class is expected to make an impact. This year, students are working on their plan to improve Seaholm, and the discussions have led towards improving school spirit.
“It would be really cool if we could start to organize pep rallies for more sports events,” said Miner.
The class will continue to help Seaholm’s AI students, and come Halloween, they will visit Pierce elementary to read to third graders for UNICEF.
“This is a very talented class this year,” said Moten. “You all leave a legacy, and in leadership class we train you to leave a good one.”
