Youth program grooms community leaders
On Aug. 23 students from Hamilton and Menomonee Falls high schools had the opportunity to learn about team building and better understand what it means to be a leader at Camp Minikani in Hubertus, Wis., during the Falls/Sussex Youth Leadership Program.
The program put on by the FSYL Board of Directors, which includes the Sussex and Menomonee Falls chambers of commerce has 26 participants this year up from 24 last year. From noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday participants attended the first session of the activities for the program that runs through January.
Sophomores and juniors at the two high schools are encouraged to take part for a $50 fee. Executive Director of the Sussex Chamber of Commerce Sheri Pellechia said the program was geared toward youth for a variety of reasons.
"The biggest hope is that they take away what it is to be a leader," Pellechia said. "It's important that students understand there isn't a sense of entitlement once they get out into the working world."
During Sunday's retreat, students played a number of ice-breaker games along with the camp leader facilitating an activity with rope where students had to work together to get untangled. There were also a number of other games including an activity where participants drew a coat of arms that reflected their childhood, the present, future and their dream for the future. The youth's day ended with the performance of a song and dance they created. All of the activities were designed to instill leadership skills that can be used at future jobs and in school, Pellechia said.
Leadership building
Now in its sixth year, the program began when a group of students wanted to develop a leadership building opportunity for other youth. The Board of Directors made up of business owners and other area leaders was then established and started to work out all the details. In the next few months several sessions will be offered including an event on Sept. 24.
The event will take place at Quad/Graphics and will teach students better communication and entrepreneurship skills. Participants will get acquainted with a local business and learn what an impact eye contact and tone can have while developing communication skills. The next event will take place in October at the Menomonee Falls Village Hall where youth will learn about the basics of village government, tour the hall, learn about the departments involved and also have the opportunity to debate. Students will have an hour to an hour and a half to go to the library and do research on a topic they are assigned and will then argue in front of a panel of judges made up of local attorneys and other legislative officials, Pellechia said.
In November, community day will take place. It will be held at Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls and will teach students all about being a community trusty. Local business owners will be guest speakers at the event. During December the group will head to Hartfel House in Menomonee Falls, which is a house for adult males who are cognitively disabled. Participants will work with the males to help them decorate their house for the holidays, take them bowling or shopping and do a variety of other activities as part of a service project. In January a commencement will take place to conclude the program, Pellechia said. Pellechia said the board is always looking to improve the program and has taken suggestions from previous participants. In order to get this information a focus group was conducted that included participants from the last four years.
"Overwhelmingly the kids really, really liked it," Pellechia said.
Looking ahead
Some small changes were made this year although the biggest change was in marketing. A new T-shirt was created to be more appealing for students and there was more promotion in schools, something the focus group wanted. The focus group asked to know about the program sooner in their high school stay so they could plan accordingly, Pellechia said.In order to pay for students' food, transportation and other costs, the board looks to area businesses. This year $1,000 was raised and funds also rolled over from last year. Pellechia said there are plans to continue the program next summer.
Current participants
Kawika Avilla, Laura Bauman, Eric Cisler, Olivia Dennis, Taylor Golabowski, Sara Glomski, Jennifer Janusz, Kelsey Jasinski, Dan Jaskolski, Emma Lodl, Kayla Mandry, Courtney Meidenbauer, Daniel Meyer, Cole Morris, Benjamin Pflefka, Kristin Prescott, Kelly Saeger, Brennan Schneider, Madeline Sharkey, Andy Stoiber, Amanda Wagner, Joshua Weber, Kennedy Weishoff, Lauren Winter, Jenna Woodson and Amy Zoulek.
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