An exercise in student leadership was on full display at Bellefontaine High School when the Chieftain Leaders took part in a recent 3 1/2 hour training session in the Distance Learning Center.
The student-led club started the day with a breakout session. Members sat across from someone they didn’t know that well and explained their respective backgrounds.
The club then welcomed two guest speakers. Citizens Federal Business Development Officer Joenee Purcell discussed the importance of being open-minded. She said seeing another person’s perspective is critical for success in relationships throughout life.
She explained how our environment shapes our beliefs, and encouraged each student to explore new environments after high school.
Finally, she talked about communication and conflict. There are four keys: seek first to understand, find some common ground, check your emotions, and leaders set the tone.
Robert Reynolds from Mary Rutan Hospital was the second guest speaker. His main topics were being coachable, listening and communicating.
He noted that every person is your superior in some way, and added that you should look for ways to learn from everyone you meet.
Chieftain Leaders was formed last school year. The largest student-run club at BHS is a combination of several high school leadership clubs, including Leaders in Action, Student Senate, Class Officers and Logan County Youth Leadership.
Their current goals are recognition of the Chieftain Leaders Club, togetherness and recruitment.
The future goals are school involvement, students’ ideas being heard, community involvement and school pride.
Chieftain Leaders has three committees embedded in the club.
The social climate committee focuses on school pride, school spirit, making the school more student-oriented, and creating a fun environment for students.
The service committee has the goal of giving back to the school and the community. They have volunteered at football concessions and Volleybuff. Their future projects are Relay for Life and other fundraising opportunities.
Finally, the leadership committee organizes training focusing on the four pillars of leadership.
Junior Montanna Buck is president of Chieftain Leaders and sophomore Jack Varner serves as vice president. Angie Horvath is coordinator of Chieftain Leaders. Tricia Baker is adviser of the club.
The club uses social media to make announcements, market fundraisers and share events. You can follow on Instagram and Twitter @leadersbhs or “BHS Chieftain Leaders” on Facebook.
BCS offers leadership training for students of all grade levels. Bellefontaine Elementary School has Chieftain Leaders, Bellefontaine Intermediate School has the Student Lighthouse Team with Leader in Me and Bellefontaine Middle School features the Chieftain Pride Ambassadors.