Though he may just be an incoming ninth grader, Vinemont High student Brandon Akers wants to inspire his peers — and those younger than him — when the 2012-2013 school year begins. Luckily, he’ll have some help.
Akers was one of a few dozen students who attended a character workshop this week at the Cullman County Board of Education central office, the first step toward founding a student-led character building initiative.
“We want to transform others to be leaders,” Akers said. “We want to be able to help and make a difference.”
Superintendent Billy Coleman said he hopes to formally launch the new program this fall, and brought in the students to write up the by-laws and develop a course of action.
“We feel really strongly that this is something we want to start,” he said. “Leadership is something our country desperately needs, and it seems like its really starving for quality leadership. We want to talk about how the ideas of leadership have changed over time, and make it a real emphasis.”
Coleman said Thursday’s planning session was just the first step, and he expects to see the students develop projects in the schools and community later this year.
“If you want to change the world, you have to change yourself,” he said. ”If you take care of those inner-qualities and values, then leadership is just a by-product. We want student leaders to be at the forefront of a lot of our activities.”
West Point 10th grader Tallie Schaffer said she would like to see her peers lead leadership classes for elementary students, to give them role models in the high school.
Those kids really look up to the older students, and we have a real chance to inspire them,” she said. “We could try and make a difference for the classes coming up.”
Hannah Hopkins, an incoming senior at Holly Pond High, said she would like to see the leadership initiative focus on everything from self-esteem to being less judgmental.
“I think its important to teach people not to judge others,” she said. “We need to help motivate and try to help people with their self-image.”
Coleman said he expects solid plans — and a potential name for the new group — to be announced in the coming weeks.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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West Point 10th grader Tallie Schaffer, left, chats with fellow county students Thursday at a character-building workshop hosted at the Cullman County Board of Education central office. Trent Moore
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County schools launching character education program
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