WYL Hosts 5th Annual Leadership Training

Rocky River High School students taking a break.

A record number of middle and high school students and staff from Bay Village, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted and Rocky River braved the cold and snow to participate in the annual Westshore Young Leaders (WYL) Training event held at the Don Umerley Civic Center in Rocky River in late November.  Over the past five years, the event has drawn almost 400 students in the Westshore District. 

The Westshore Young Leaders Network partnered with McKeon Education Group to facilitate the invigorating day of interactive training.  The quote, If your actions inspire others to dream more and do more, you are a leader” from John Quincy Adams, was the spur for one activity. In Stand By Your Quote, students examined the leadership styles of others and took a moment to reflect on the quote's meaning and purpose in their leadership roles.

Are you a problem solver, are you a visionary or are you better at crisis management?  Students rated themselves on the different roles a leader can acquire within a group. Helping students learn their strengths and weaknesses will align their comfort level and abilities as part of a team.

Middle and high school students were broken into groups for teambuilding activities in the afternoon session.  Middle school students used teamwork to build towers out of marshmallows and spaghetti.  The high school students participated in activities to foster their role as mentors in the leadership growth process.

The Westshore Young Leaders Network is open to all middle and high school students in the six Westshore communities. Join us for an “Ugly Sweater Contest” and holiday party on Thursday, December 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bay Village Police Department.  For more information., contact Noreen Kyle, School Prevention Specialist at 440-250-9916.

Noreen M. Kyle

Noreen Kyle is an employee of the Westshore Enforcement Bureau, drug task force. She is the school prevention specialist for the Westshore Young Leaders Program.

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Volume 2, Issue 6, Posted 6:09 PM, 12.11.2014