Seventy-five local student and staff leaders recently gathered for the second annual Ignite Conference to learn from experienced leaders Coach Mike Nygren and presenters Lorien George and Ashley Stilson.
The conference presented by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center hosted by Indian Lake Schools included a meeting of several student leadership “pods” from area schools. Guest lecturers, some of whom have completed the program themselves, discussed the qualities of leadership and the importance of leadership amongst teens.
“I enjoyed the examples of personal leadership experiences from the guest speakers,” Benjamin Logan freshman Hannah Phillips said. “My biggest take away from the conference would have to be the motivation and plan of action aspect of the event. I plan to continue engaging other leaders and attending to the needs of our community.”
“Coming out of this conference, I actually feel motivated,” BLHS sophomore Jonas Hoffman said. “I feel as though I can really make a change in the world around me. I truly enjoyed the entire experience…If I could change anything about this, I would’ve done it even sooner.”
BLHS teacher Brook Tuttle said student participants formed a new group as a result of the conference — the Raider Leadership Committee.
“Essentially, it is a student-run group, hand-picked to represent leadership from our diverse student body. Its purpose is to promote growth and change in our district through leadership training and community outreach projects,” she said. “They want to work with the other student clubs and organizations to take on some of the projects that those clubs want to do, but have trouble organizing, promoting or making time for.”
Fellow participants from BLHS included: Alexis Achor, Benjamin Coffield, Kerry Copenhaver, Briar Elliot, Caleb Epp, Julia Grimes, Brooklyn Horner, Averi Lane, Sami Meeker, Austin McGowan, Annika Simovart, Gretchen Wilber, Joslin Wilber and Nick Willoby, along with BLHS teachers Cadan Goldstein and Jason Smith.