What happens when you take a group of dynamic students from every school in La Porte County, place them in a room and teach them about leadership? What enfolds is a scene stimulating to the eyes and the brain. Active team-building games, “aha” moments, friendships blossoming, colorful poster boards and hula hoops are just a few of the day’s occurrences.
This is what happened Monday, Feb. 18 during Leadership La Porte County’s first annual high school session hosted at Purdue North Central. The program has been running for 19 years and includes divisions for the youth, teenagers and adults residing in La Porte County.
“Our purpose is not only to teach them about the community, but also teach them leadership skills they can implement throughout their lives. We want to take what they already know and enhance it, so that they can learn more about themselves and the community,” leader Monica Komasinski said.
The program is comprised of various activities to ensure the goal is met. The students are plunged immediately into the experience at the start of the day. They must interview a stranger and then introduce their subject to the entire group.
“My favorite part of the program is watching relationships form on the first day. The kids come in timid and not knowing anyone, and by the end of the day they have forged new bonds,” Komasinski said.
Also, the participants were given another task that proved to be challenging. In teams, the students were asked to draw an accurate map of La Porte County including towns, schools, roads and landmarks. The activity definitely proved to be a learning experience for the groups.
Participants were then administered a personality test that represents each individual as a color. The purpose is to better understand oneself and others.
Former participant and current youth leader Theresa Saenz said, “The color test was very neat to me. I was shocked how accurate my color matched my personality.”
The day is also broken up with various team-building activities, such as a hula hoop pass and a simultaneous ball toss game, to teach the students about patience, communication and teamwork. While the activities may have looked humorous their lessons were poignant.
“The activities truly helped me find a voice. I had an opportunity to participate in an engineering camp recently and the skills I learned from Leadership La Porte County certainly helped,” Theresa Saenz said.
The program will continue over a period of four weeks and contain a unique variety of activities. On Feb. 26 the group will take a tour of the La Porte County Jail and learn about crime and punishment in La Porte. The program will also cover youth issue topics such as school uniforms, diversity, social media and quality of education. Furthermore, Leadership La Porte County will bring in Sonshine Troche and Gerrie Grott as quest speakers and a host a conversation with local school superintendents.
“After today I have a better understanding of others. I am curious for what is yet to come,” new member Orion Neal said.
The high school program is ran by adult leaders Monica Komasinski, Dick Reel and Jim Jessup. Contributing schools are La Porte, Michigan City, New Prairie, La Crosse, South Central, Marquette and Westville. Each school nominates four to five students to take part.
Youth leader Jessica Bruder said, “When I was done with the program last year I was truly grateful. Leadership La Porte County helped me come out of my box and made me a more outgoing person.”