Take a class and make a difference

You go to school and hear the announcements; you are told your payment for senior trip is due on Tuesday. Later on, you head over to a great rally for the big homecoming football game that night; the JV and varsity teams are there, and you cheer in support.

That night, the football team breaks for half time, and out of the darkness around the field a parade emerges. Bearing the homecoming king and queen is the biggest float you've ever seen. The night ends with the team winning and you having a great time at the homecoming dance.

These are just some of the many events at Lindhurst High School, but many people don't know the planning or funding that go into them. That's where the leadership class comes in.

Behind the scenes of rallies, dances and more, the leadership class is there pulling strings. The class members spend their Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings before school planning the week's events. Leadership students can be seen around campus all week long putting up posters and making preparations for various events.

Under the guidance of Stephanie Peterson and Patty Gates, leadership has spread through the student body, motivating them to get involved with their school and giving them a chance to show their ideas and express themselves while learning the skills to be better leaders.

"Leadership is a class for students who want to make the school better. They plan activities, go to many conferences to learn new things and meet new people, make an impact on the school, to have a chance of being a leader, and lastly, just to have fun. The activities leadership does are rallies, noon-time activities, host dances, make the best of homecomings and many more," said junior Leo Yang.

Leadership students cannot be shy with people — they are often seen out on the floor at rallies and in the stands and booths at sporting events. They do their best to get the crowd to show some spirit.

"This is not just another elective class, but it's a class that can change your view about your school. It's the class where you can really make a difference. You get your voice out and you are heard. I have been in leadership since my freshman year, and there is not one day that I regret being in it because it makes me feel like I'm someone who has made a difference, and for that I am thankful," said junior Janet Lopez.

While leadership class teaches students the skills they need to lead, Renaissance — also a big part of leadership — handles the more academic part of activities.

"Renaissance is the more academic part of leadership. We have committees for everything. Rallies, dances, hospitality, spirit, staff appreciation, birthday, concessions, community service, etc. We work with not only the school, but the community! When an opportunity comes up, we take it," said senior Jessika Northrup.

Thanks to leadership and its dedicated members, Lindhurst's many activities run smoothly and efficiently. Matt Kearns, ASB vice president, said, "Leadership is more than a class. More than something that will look good on a college application. It teaches you valuable skills you can use for the rest of your life. Best of all, it teaches you how to lead."

Kameron Dansby is a senior at Lindhurst High School. His column appears about every sixth week in Education.