Bucktail Youth Leadership Program Completes Fifth Class
FARWELL – The fifth class of the Bucktail Youth Leadership Program recently concluded for Bucktail High School sophomores Bridget Gardener, Beth Davis, Vanessa Thompson, Leela Singh, Tristan Schelb, Vinny DiMattia, and Austin Ransdorf. Each student gave a presentation on their community service projects, which are required for the program, at their graduation banquet held at The Chapman Township Fire Hall on May 27, 2014. It was evident that each of the projects effected the students in a positive manner and provided an insight into the needs of their community.
Participant Beth Davis conducted a fund raiser bake sale with delicious candy eggs and other special treats that made nearly $500 to benefit the Renovo Library. She selected this project to honor of her Aunt who recently passed away and was an avid reader.
Austin Ransdorf, with the help of his father, removed the brass casings from the shooting range at the Western Clinton County Sportsman’s Club and cleaned up other debris and provided some general maintenance at the club grounds. Austin also worked a station at the Hyner Challenge event, providing encouragement and refreshments to the runners.
Bridget Gardener and Leela Singh organized a volleyball tournament at Bucktail High School to benefit Cystic Fibrosis with six teams and many supporters that came out to cheer on the teams. They raised nearly $450 for the charity and Kahner’s Krew.
Vanessa Thompson responded to concern for many of the residents at the Bucktail Medical Center’s Nursing Home area during the holidays. She and her grandmother created 60 Holiday floral arrangements to distribute as she visited with each resident, bringing them great cheer.
Tristan Schelb and Vincent DiMattia discovered the need for two commercial-model hair dryers for Bucktail Medical Center beauty salon. They held a bake sale to raise the money to purchase the hair dryers at a cost of $180 each. The amount of money they raised from the items sold (many of which they made themselves) exceed the cost of the dryers, and the remaining funds will be used to help provide recreation activities for the residents at the Center.
As a group the Bucktail Leadership Class worked on a group project to prepare the current sixth graders at Renovo Elementary for their transition to seventh grade at the high school in the fall. They prepared a 3-ring binder for each sixth grade student, which contained a map of the school, a meaningful quote, a pen and paper and dividers. The school will insert the student’s class schedule when they are distributed to the transitioning students on their first day of seventh grade. Each of the Leadership students talked to the sixth graders about topics that would be of concern to them as they make the move over to the high school including bullying, respect for their school and teachers, the importance of doing homework and paying attention in class, the need to have self-confidence, the rewards of being involved in extracurricular activities, and most importantly that the mentors would be there for them should they get lost in the hallways or if they had a question about how things worked.
The keynote speaker for the evening was U.S Congressman Glenn Thompson. The Congressman was most complimentary to the students and their hard work and commitment to the program and their education. He explained he considers what is good for God, country, family, and others, in this order, whenever he has a decision to make. He also places a high priority on purpose, principle, and passion. The Congressman presented each of the students with a commemorative medal and a congratulatory certificate.
Other special guests attending the banquet and program were the students’ families; Mrs. Penny Thompson; Mayor, Carl Olshefskie; Bucktail High School Guidance Counselor , Sheri Gordon; Keystone Central School District Superintendent, Kelly Hastings; and steering committee members Merry Ann Olshefskie, and Rich Wykoff. Students received completion certificates and gifts.
The Bucktail Leadership Program has received a financial support from The Clinton County Community Foundation and the Leadership Clinton County Alumni organization. The Bucktail Youth Leadership Program is an educational effort of the Clinton County Youth Council providing the students with leadership building, public speaking and communication training, as well as other life skills activities. The program steering committee is comprised of Gail Welshans, Merry Ann Olshefskie, and Rich Wykoff, and is administered by co-coordinators Gwen Bechdel and Bobbie Jo Simcox. These volunteers donate their time and expertise to provide meaningful opportunities to enrich the students’ leadership potential.
