Respect Yourself, Respect Each Other, Respect Your School: Leadership Challenge, Day One

Often, the most important lessons learned are those taught outside the classroom setting. While applying the Pythagorean Theorem and discussing the thematic motifs of The Great Gatsby may be vital to a student's intellectual development, a truly effective curriculum goes beyond the three “Rs” of reading, writing, and arithmetic to include activities that foster social and character development as well.

For this reason, Glenholme has incorporated an annual Leadership Challenge into its summer curriculum. This year, thirty students, based on their leadership qualities and their potential to serve as positive role models for their fellow classmates, were nominated to participate  in the week long course.

On the first day of the program, students created and presented posters about honesty and respect. During each presentation, the other students were quiet, attentive, and engaged in what their peers had to say. During one presentation, however, a particularly enthusiastic and passionate student had difficulty remaining quiet. Amidst the presenter’s description of what respect entails, the student proudly bellowed from the audience, “Respect yourself, respect each other, and respect your school.”

The level of responsibility, maturity, and professionalism displayed by each of the students  during the first day of the Leadership Challenge was incredible. While attending Glenholme, these students have made legitimate strides in learning to accept and encourage others, to be proud of who they are, to speak up for what they believe in, and more than anything, to respect those around them. Glenholme staff members are always instructed to serve as positive role models for the students, but these thirty students are proving themselves to be exceptional role models as well.