Leadership Training Focuses on "Building a Better World"

Students from parish schools enjoyed the annual overnight Plaquemines Leadership Training held at Belle Chasse Middle School on March 2nd and 3rd.  One highlight of the training was a presentation by Eli Quintana, Director ofYMCA activities at the new Community Center in the Diamond Trailer Park.  Eli, a former Harlem Globetrotter, shared the story of his rise frombeing a Cuban refugee to winning athletic scholarships that led him to a career as a professional basketball player.  He knows what it takes to be a true leader, and now he spends his time on programs to build young people.

Students participated in groups that competed in games and learning activities, all the while building new relationships and skills as leaders in their schools now and as future leaders in the community.  As always, they testified that the best part of the weekend is meeting new people, making friends and learning how to work together.  Most of all, they stepped outside the electronic world of cell phones, Internet, iPods and Gameboys.

Each team for the weekend chooses their "top guns", the girl and boy exemplifying the qualities of a ture leader.  This year's "top guns" were (back row left to right) Keith Espadron, Coddy Hillers, Kohl Thimmesch, Taylor Longwell, Zachary Hammond, Mason Lott, Cory Cronk,  Blake Barrois, tony Graffeo, (front row) Dejon Smith, Stephanie Glenn, Lindsay Ancar, Aarion Hocutt, Alexus Landry, Amanda Altemus, Megan Altemus, Beth Dingler and Mandy Morice.

"Building a Better World!" was the theme this year, acknowledging the reality that the whole parish has a long way to go in rebuilding.  The Leadership Training is sponsored by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program of the Plaquemines Parish School Board and is funded in part by Title IV federal funds.

"I think the best way to appreciate what this experience means to the kids is to hear what they are planning to do as a result of the training," said Paul Springer, the coordinator of the Leadership Training.  Students said:  "I am planning to lead others in a better direction." "I will respect people, be kind, be nice and help people with things that need to be done." "I plant to show leadership wherever I go." "I am going to help new people or outsiders."

Leadership students building their first toilet paper roll tower - a group building activity at the beginning of the training.