It was a bittersweet day for the members of the Leadership La Porte County’s high school program. Thursday, March 14 marked the last day the class would be meeting. The group met at La Porte’s Cummings Lodge to listen to guest speakers, continue building leadership skills, network and wrap it all up.
“This is our favorite day. We get to wrap up everything we’ve learned. We had to weave in our activities from our missed day, but part of being a leader is always being prepared with a plan b,” leader Monica Komasinki said.
The class met over a four week period at different location to hone in on different skills of leadership. However, the ever unpredictable weather of Northwest Indiana caused one of the days to end early and another session canceled.
“I think this year has gone really well. Despite cancellations from the weather, we’ve all become really close, and have grown as leaders together,” student leader Jessica Brude said.
The participants, all high school students from La Porte County schools, started the day with a competitive round of Jeopardy. After the students tested their knowledge, they were treated with a lecture from special guest Sonshine Troche.
Troche spoke on “A Power for Good,” and told the students her miraculous journey from drugs and pain to helping others. Her candid style and honest approach truly resonated with her audience. Troche is currently in the process of opening a Worthy Women Recovery Home in La Porte for ladies transitioning into life from prison, and she reflected her own goals and experiences back to the students.
“I love people no matter what they look like or where they’ve been. No matter what kind of religion you are, you have to have character, compassion for yourself, the world and others. It only takes one person. If you have an idea, start talking about it to others and get going. My challenge for you is to go out and change the world,” Troche said.
After the students reflected on Troche’s story, it was time to self-reflect. Komasinski challenged the students to “think about where you’ve been and where you are going” and create a timeline of their lives.
Then, the students were given a unique opportunity. Michigan City School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins and La Porte School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Glade Montgomery graciously donated their time for a “conversation” with the group.
“I have a philosophy: students are not an interruption of my work, but my sole purpose,” began Montgomery. “What our corporation needs to do is cooperate together, be positive, take care of themselves and their families and treat everyone with dignity and respect every day.”
From there the conversation flowed and the superintendents and students discussed a wide range of topics including: academic achievement, technology integration, college preparation, diversity, gifted programs, public perception and uniforms.
“We have a great community and area. I always try to highlight to positive things of our school and make our community proud,” Eason-Watkins explained.
The conversation left the students feeling a closer bond with school issues and a refreshed perspective.
“It was really interesting because as students, we form a negative bias of the administration, but this allowed us to see that we all face the same problems and need open communication,” participant Carter Brown said.
After indulging in lunch from Subway, the learning continued with team building lessons and mind games regarding ingenuity, teamwork and diversity led by Jim Jessup and Dick Reel.
The final speaker of the day was Leadership La Porte County member Gerrie Grott. This tenacious woman overcame the odds and achieved great things despite having cerebral palsy. She urged the students never to say the word “can’t” and to “keep your attitude good, because good things can happen.”
Finally, the session came to a close and the students received a certificate and T-shirt. But first, the students shared how the class has impacted their lives. The common consensus was: a new perspective, stronger leadership skills and great friends across the county.
“I have learned to better myself as a leader and person and to help others and myself,” participant Elena Lancioni said.