Leadership La Porte County recently completed its 18th annual leadership training program with more than 30 local high school students participating from each school in La Porte County. Three all-day sessions were held at different locations around the county---Purdue North Central,the County Complex, and Cummings Lodge. Facilitators for the seminars were Dick Reel, Jim Jessup, and Leadership Executive Director, Monica Komasinski. Six students from last year’s class served as student leaders. They were: Andrew Berger, Jessica Bruder, Savannah Little, Samuel Polchlopek, Paige Pope and Theresa Saenz. 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. At the County Complex the group toured the County Jail and interviewed a panel of offenders. The student leaders facilitated many discussions on current youth issues. The graduation speakers were Gerrie Grott who spoke to the group on overcoming any odds to become a community leader, and Sonshine Troche who spoke about being a power for good. Superintendents Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins (Michigan City Area Schools) and Dr. Glade Montgomery (LaPorte Community School Corporation) also held a question and answer session with students. Each graduate received a certificate and a specially designed tee shirt. Next year’s student leaders were chosen. They are Jessica-Lena Bohlin, Carter Brown, Nolin Bruns, Stephanie Espar, Justin Kiel, Rianna Sass and Kristen Thomas.
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.
The following students participated:
Allison Back, Marquette
Johnna Belkiewitz, LaPorte
Alexa Blanton, LaPorte
Jessica-Lena Bohlin, LaPorte
Carter Brown, South Central
Nolin Bruns, Westville
Madison Chambers, LaCrosse
Ryan Citron, New Prairie
Chase Clarkson, Michigan City
Natalia Cody, Westville
William Connelly, Marquette
Naomi Culver, LaCrosse
Stephanie Espar, Marquette
Jacob Fargo, LaPorte
Abigail Gibbs, South Central
Olivia Glowacki, Michigan City
Justin Kiel, LaCrosse
Kayla Killingbeck, South Central
Elena Lancioni, LaPorte
Orion Neal, Westville
Sydney Payne, South Central
Amanda Risk, LaCrosse
Megan Sager, Westville
Riana Sass, New Prairie
Ian Smith, Marquette
Todd Suttor, New Prairie
Austin Swistek, Westville
Kristen Thomas, Michigan City
Emma Unger, New Prairie
Marcus Walker, South Central
Samuel Welch, Michigan City