The 2010-2011 season of the Fort Bend ISD Junior Student Leadership Program has come to an end. Twenty-four juniors, representing 10 FBISD high schools, took part in the Board of Trustee-sponsored program this year. The program gave students the opportunity to explore their personal roles in community leadership and service by taking part in six seminars that focused on leadership roles in community service, the judicial system and juvenile detention, the business community, healthcare, and city government.
On May 18, the cohort group completed their final session, “Recognizing Your Influence as a Leader / High ROPES.” The session began with students re-introducing themselves to each other and sharing two hobbies that they enjoy. The activity showed students that although they represent different high schools, they share commonalities and can appreciate each other’s differences.
Laurie Caldwell, retiring FBISD Board Member, sponsored the final session. She challenged students to use the knowledge and leadership skills they gained from the program this year to help others.
“I look forward to seeing the influence you take back to your schools,” said Caldwell. “As leaders you possess skills and strengths that you can use to help others with issues they may be facing. Don’t be afraid to take the lead in standing up for those individuals who can’t stand up for themselves.”
Following Caldwell’s farewell to students, Program Facilitator and ROPES Manager Lynda Ruther prepared students for the ROPES course, a challenging outdoor personal development and team-building activity. Assisted by ROPES Managers Mary Constant and Jim Harton, Ruther reviewed safety guidelines and components of the ROPES course, reminding students of the physical demands of ROPES climbing. ROPES managers then helped students strap on safety harnesses and helmets before leading them to the ROPES course, where students rotated between positions as climbers, belay teammates, rope tenders, and anchors.