MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Assistant Principal Matt McGuire are pleased to share the recent launch of the Mansfield High School Leadership Academy program.
The Mansfield High School Leadership Academy was developed in October, under the direction of Athletic Director Tim Selmon and Assistant Principal McGuire, as a way to help young leaders develop skills to make positive changes and improve student culture within the building.
Throughout the year, approximately 85 students participated in the program.
Student participants ranged from freshmen to seniors and were recommended for the program by club advisers and coaches. Teachers and administrators were also able to nominate students who showed leadership potential, even if the student did not currently hold an official leadership position in the building.
Throughout the year, student leaders met once a month before school to participate in activities for leadership skills. Over the course of several months, students were tasked with discussing challenges that young leaders face and ways to improve overall school culture, as well as collectively workshop ideas to solve these problems. Students then brought those solutions back to their team or club.
Students also completed various self-analysis tasks, including a leadership inventory, to discover their strengths and areas for growth.
“I think the leadership academy allowed many students and leaders, including myself, to come together in a common space and share advice, experiences, and questions,” said senior Leadership Academy participant Sophia Capolupo. “I became more self-aware as a leader while also gaining collaborative skills, which made me more confident in various settings.”
The program concluded on June 13 with a workshop led by nationally recognized speaker and trainer in relational and motivational leadership Deb Hult. During the workshop, students participated in teambuilding and self-discovery activities to improve their perspective on leadership.
Hult inspires with her powerful message of “WHY I CAN” to thousands of youth across the country each year. During her workshops, she shares a memorable message that causes others to think about the people they influence every day and how they can have a positive, lasting effect on the lives of others, as well as their own lives.
The feedback from students about the program was overwhelmingly positive.
“Together, we challenged common misconceptions, asked hard questions, and contributed to invaluable conversations,” said Capolupo. “I think the program was truly positive and helpful for every participant.”
“I could not be more satisfied with the launch of the Mansfield High School Leadership Academy program,” said Assistant Principal McGuire. “It was exciting to see so many students learn new leadership skills and share their knowledge with their peers. We plan to offer the program again next year and hope to expand its reach.”
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