Sixty-five Chardon High School students volunteered to spend the better part of Aug. 30, their first day of a four-day holiday weekend, attending a leadership camp organized by science teacher Rob Mizen and math teacher Scott Brown.
Leadership Camp
Sixty-five Chardon High School students volunteered to spend the better part of Aug. 30, their first day of a four-day holiday weekend, attending a leadership camp organized by science teacher Rob Mizen and math teacher Scott Brown.
The camp provided students with inspiring presentations by local community leaders and CHS faculty. Presenters transparently shared their own real-life experiences, including both the trials and tribulations. Most of all, the guest speakers emphasized the lessons they have learned on their life paths in pursuit of their passions and leadership vocations. Question and answer sessions plus such team-building activities as a trust walk and an electric fence simulation kept the camp interactive in format. Among the recurring themes of the event were believing in oneself, pursuing one’s passions and team spirit.
Elizabeth Newman, a CHS alumna, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Newman is president and CEO of Circle Health Services and the Centers for Family and Children. Prior to a question and answer session with the students, Newman gave an energizing presentation that covered her top three leadership lessons as she shared the natural ups and downs of her own career path stories along the way.
The first of Newman’s leadership lessons covered the importance of being willing to leave the comfort zone, emphasizing that the comfort zone is not where the magic happens in life. Showing up in life – at every chance – was lesson number two. And thirdly, she shared a story of bravery and success about her own daughter who longed to be able to jump off the diving board at the pool and eventually reached her goal after much practice and finding her moment of readiness. That story highlighted Newman’s lesson number three.
“You have to be willing to throw yourself into the deep end of the pool,” said Newman. “You need to have the ability to try. Prepare, prepare, prepare so that when you find an opportunity you can jump in. You can’t just hope for happy endings. You have to believe in them and then do the work and take the risks.”
Local community leaders who served as the camp’s breakout speakers included Melanie Scanlon, executive director of Leadership Geauga and Kimm Leininger, president of Geauga Growth Partnership Inc.
Scanlon’s messages for the students included a hearty reassurance that nobody has their whole life figured out. Rather, she described that the journey begins with identifying one’s passion(s) and discovering where that path may lead.
“Leadership is not something that happens in one day and you’re done,” said Scanlon.
Additionally, Scanlon emphasized to students the significance of believing in oneself and surrounding oneself with people who believe in you. Other themes from Scanlon included being willing to build a team and not leading in isolation.
“When you work with people who aren’t yourself, they’ll do things differently. But the end product will be better,” said Scanlon.
Leininger discussed a leadership motto of only asking others to do what you would be willing to do yourself. Likewise, she encouraged students to stay in touch with what and who they know to be healthy for themselves. Another key point was the critical piece of students recognizing the leaders within themselves.
“You all have qualities in you that are leadership qualities,” said Leininger. “You know what your passions are more than anyone else. Be the leader of yourself and believe in yourself.”
Among the camp’s CHS faculty speakers were assistant football coach Frank Hall, science teacher Dan Robertson, math teacher Megan Wessels and Principal Doug Murray.
During a question and answer session, Coach Hall spoke about how it is great to be back in Chardon and that the town will always hold a special place in his heart. He likewise encouraged students to feel gratitude for the community in which they are growing up. Additionally, Hall emphasized the importance of being the person who motivates others.
“Don’t be the person who brings people down,” said Coach Hall. “Be the person who brings people up. Don’t let the little things in life get in the way of your leadership.”
Among the leadership lessons conveyed by Mr. Robertson was an emphasis on the importance of adaptability to constant change and staying true to oneself.
“If you speak your truth, it can’t be wrong,” said Mr. Robertson. “If you look somebody in the eye and you speak from the heart you can’t be wrong.”
Many of the speakers, including Principal Murray, took deliberate pause to acknowledge the students’ presence at leadership camp, particularly on a day off from school. Principal Murray also touched on the subject of humility, which is one of CHS’ seven core values.
“Today you chose to be here,” said Principal Murray. “You chose the road less traveled. You will learn by grit and by doing. Be proactive. All the no’s in my life refined me. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s important that you make mistakes and hear the word no because the humility that comes from that will enable you to be the person you are meant to be.”
School Supply Drive
On Aug. 29, just ahead of the Chardon Local School District’s four-day weekend, faculty from the Chardon Education Association gathered together at El Patron for a community purpose – to host a school supply drive for WomenSafe, Inc. In all, the organization collected 50 brand new backpacks along with a variety of additional brand new school supplies.
Due to the unpredictable and devastating nature of domestic violence, abused women and children will often arrive at the WomenSafe emergency shelter in the middle of the night. Deeply empathizing with these situations, the district’s teachers are aware that these children often only have the clothes on their backs and maybe a stuffed animal. As a result, a child may arrive to school carrying their school supplies in a plastic grocery bag.
CEA’s efforts to include the collection of new backpacks, as well as common school supplies, in the school supply drive was to help ensure that these children – who are experiencing a family crisis – can feel more comfortable among their peers and feel more prepared for school.
Life Skills at Geauga County Fair
Chardon High School teacher Amanda Bunker has made it an annual tradition to take her class to the Great Geauga County Fair. The field trip provides an opportunity for her students to practice such valuable life skills as following a schedule, reading a map, managing money and communicating with public officials. The life skills are practiced in a fun setting as the students also get to enjoy french fries, fair shows and delicious milkshakes.
“We had so much fun and learned so much,” said Mrs. Bunker. “Thank you to Principal Murray for the educational trip and to Mr. Bandiera for joining us.”
Class Seeks Service Opportunities
Chardon High School students enrolled in the Chardon Learning Service class had the opportunity to attend an onsite fair on Aug. 28 wherein representatives from seven area agencies donated their time to share information about their respective missions and also provide opportunities for students to interview for volunteer positions and internships. The agencies represented at the event were Geauga Park District, Geauga County Department on Aging, Metzenbaum Center, Salvation Army, University Hospitals, Broadmoor School and Lake Metroparks Farmpark
