Leadership La Porte County recently completed its 21st annual leadership training program with more than 40 local high school students participating from each school in La Porte County. This year, two home schooled students were also a part of the program. Four all-day sessions were held at different locations around the county - Purdue North Central, the La Porte County Complex, Red Mill County Park and Cummings Lodge. Facilitators for the seminars were Leadership Executive Director, Monica Komasinski, Alliegra Hand, Jim Jessup, and Dick Reel. Seven students from last year’s class served as student leaders. They were: Olivia West (LaPorte), Mary Parkman (Westville), Brandon Claussen (South Central), Kenyatta Hodges-Hawkins (Marquette), Emily Albano (New Prairie), Zoe Yergler (La Crosse), Rodrigo Serrano (Michigan City) and Joshua Hugley (home school). The program was funded by a community grant from the Unity Foundation.
The students practiced leadership skills such as communication, problem solving, team-building, collaboration, and decision-making. At the opening session they did a personality assessment in order to better understand group dynamics and individual personality traits. At the County Complex the group toured the County Jail, heard from Sheriff John Boyd and Sonshine Troche of Worthy Women Recovery. They also interviewed a panel of offenders. The student leaders facilitated many discussions on current youth issues. Michigan City Police Officer Marty Corley spoke to the group on community leadership and diversity. The final session featured “graduation” speaker Gerrie Grott who shared her perspective on overcoming any odds to become a community leader. A panel of young professionals including Mayor Blair Milo, Shannon Hannon, Justin Kiel and Carrie Campbell, held a question and answer session with students. They discussed their commitment to community service and the importance of getting involved. Each graduate received a certificate and a specially designed tee shirt. Next year’s student leaders were chosen. They are Madeleine Nunn (LaPorte), Claudia Patterson (Westville), Austin Sallee(South Central), Adriann Reynolds (Marquette), Garrett Gangloff (New Prairie), Justene Charlesworth (La Crosse), Rishi Verma and Emma Zaknoun (Michigan City) and Audrey Ott (home school).
For more information about Leadership La Porte County or its youth programs, contact Executive Director, Monica Komasinski at 219-325-8223 or by email at info@leadershiplaportecounty.com.