Bucktail Leadership Experiences Diversity
The students participating in the Bucktail Leadership Program were exposed to a variety of diversity situations while spending a day in February at The Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center at Lock Haven University Campus.
The initial activity for the day involved reporting on the results of their assignment to select an area of each of their lives where increased enthusiasm was needed. The students purposely applied increased enthusiasm to the situation selected and found the results were very positive.
Albert Jones, a member of the Human Resources Team at First Quality and Keystone Central School Board Member, was the first guest speaker. He introduced the students to the scope of several First Quality products that are produced in Clinton County. He also talked to the program participants about several of his experiences during his adolescent years, his college years at LHU, and his professional career. He gave them a message of encouragement as he urged the students to “give your all and go the extra mile” in all aspects of their lives.
The students were then introduced to two international students who were able to cover a wide variety of topics. One international student, from Moscow, Russia, related the differences between the school schedule and expectations from her homeland and the United States. The student from Trinidad was able to share the many different cultural celebrations, indicating that everyone typically participated in the events, even when they might not be affiliated with the religious or cultural groups celebrating.
After a lunch featuring international dishes, the students received information from Mr. Mike Hall, Assistant Director of Admissions, guiding them to the many considerations to be aware of when determining where to continue their education, including location, cost, and availability of an interested area of study.
The final activity of the day included a presentation by Dr. Erica Moore’s special education students. Three groups provided the Bucktail students with activities to demonstrate what individuals who are afflicted with deafness, autism, and muscular dystrophy experience in day-to-day activities. The program participants came away with an increased empathy for those with disabilities.
This year’s participants include: Hannah Bowes, Emalea Mills, Hailey Risley, Ebonee Spriggs, Alanna Tripp, and Renee Werts. Each session throughout the nine-month program includes a focus on leadership building, communication, and other life skills activities, and a public speaking component is assigned.
The Bucktail Youth Leadership Program is coordinated by Bobbie Jo Simcox and Gwen Bechdel as an activity club at Bucktail High School. The Clinton County Community Foundation and Leadership Clinton County are generous supporters of the activities of the Program.
