MIDDLEBURY — Fostering the future leaders of Elkhart County took center stage in Middlebury Saturday with the 2009 Youth Empowerment Saturday program.
Held at the Boys and Girls Club of Middlebury, the annual event, also known as “YES Day,” takes students from Northridge Middle School who have been selected for their innate leadership abilities and puts them together with other like-minded students for a fun day of skill building and leadership training.
“The day is really all about building leadership, communication, teamwork skills, and just boosting self esteem for these kids,” said Chelsea Gorsuch, a councilor at Northridge Middle School and YES Day coordinator. “We had about 40 students participate in this year’s event, which is about where we usually fall each year.”
To be able to participate in the program, students must be chosen by their teachers and other school staff based on the leadership skills they display on a daily basis.
“What we’re doing is recognizing the leadership potential in these kids and helping them see that they’re not the only ones that believe what they believe, and trying to help them see that by working together, they can contribute to a more positive climate in the school, and let them see that their leadership is powerful,” said Rachel Vallance, a NMS teacher and YES Day volunteer.
The day
During the day, students were able to participate in all manner of skill building and teamwork-oriented activities, including word games, physical challenges requiring trust, and problem solving puzzles and games.
“Much of the day is made up of a bunch of team-building, ice-breaking, group building activities that help the kids build trust with each other.” Vallance said. “I think one of the most valuable comments I heard today from the kids is that they’re learning that they’re not the only ones who have problems, and they have a lot more in common with each other than they might have originally thought.”
Kimberly Gendron, a Northridge High School senior, is a past YES Day participant who has now come full circle as a YES Day student volunteer.
“I actually participated in YES Day when I was in eighth grade,” Gendron said. “I think it’s a really great program, and a really fun day. A lot of these activities are really productive and helpful for these kids, so that’s why I decided to help out.”
Holly Segorski, one of the seventh-graders chosen to participate in the program, agreed.
“It was really a lot of fun,” Segorski said, “and I got to meet a lot of new people. It was great.”
Local News
Students learn team skills
Forty students with leadership potential chosen by staff for annual program.
- Local News
-
-
Super Bowl fans warned about measles outbreak
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Toledo Symphony, Goshen College choirs in concert Feb. 19
The Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Goshen College choirs will come together under the direction of Grammy award-winning conductor and Goshen College alumnus Vance George for a Feb. 19 show.
-
'Seussical' debuts Friday
Joel Lininger is a 15-year-old boy. He’s also been Tom Sawyer and the King of Hearts. Currently, he’s The Cat in the Hat.
-
Student radio station up for national awards
The Goshen College radion station, WGCS, 91.1, The Globe, has been nominated for 15 broadcasting awards by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.
-
Council bailout of housing authority not a done deal
Supporters of a $571,050 plan to bailout the Goshen Housing Authority and put the agency back on solid footing left Tuesday’s City Council meeting with new optimism, according to some people who attended the meeting.
-
Goshen winter guard members preparing for their big show
Members of the Goshen High School Winter Guard are working hard in preparation for their last regular season invitational. And that event will be a big one.
-
Police have suspects in theft of charity containers at Walmarts
According to a report by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, suspects in the recent thefts of donation containers at local Walmart stores have been identified.
-
Museum programs to focus on barns
Two events focusing on historic barns are planned at the Midwest Museum of American Art, 429 S. Main St., Elkhart:
-
New library rental fees set
The Middlebury Town Council amended the Middlebury Public Library's community room use policy Monday, with the primary change being an increase in rental fees for the library's three community rooms.
-
Local artists win at regionals
Five NorthWood High School students won at the 2012 Northwest Indiana & Lower Southwest Michigan Region of The Alliance for Young Writers & Artists.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
