Sanford Students Participate in Leadership Conference

The conference, held at the University of Delaware, was the culmination of a semester-long partnership among the Jefferson Awards, UD’s major in Organizational and Community Leadership, and the Lead 490 Capstone Class. The 23 members of the Lead 490 class, led by Associate Professor Karen Stein, designed, planned, and facilitated the conference.

Sanford was one of 22 Delaware high schools and youth groups to be represented at the conference, which aimed to “challenge the student leaders and develop leadership, communication and problem solving skills while building cross-cultural bonds and preparing them for active, contributing roles in their communities.” A series of workshops were intended to guide students as they attempt to build service-oriented cultures in their schools and youth groups.

In addition, conference participants also heard from two student speakers, Emma Rider and Braeden Mannering, who spoke about their individual service projects, Water Step and Braeden’s 3B.

The Sanford students who attended the conference were Campbell Flaherty, Martin Hunt, Garrett Jester, Justin McLellan, Breanna Mendell, Kimmie Riordan, and Caroline Wilson. The participating schools and organizations attending were Alexis I. DuPont, Burton Village Youth Prevention Frontliners, Cape Henlopen, Caravel Academy, Charter School of Wilmington, Delaware Academy for Public Safety and Security, Delaware Homeschool Group, Dover, Glasgow, Indian River, McKean, MERIT, Newark, Newark Charter, Padua Academy, Sanford, Seaford, St. Elizabeth, Sussex Technical, Tower Hill, Ursuline Academy and William Penn.

For more information on the Jefferson Awards and the Students In Action program, visit www.JeffersonAwards.org.