Young Leaders Honored at Howell Schools

Before students at Ardena and Taunton Schools left for spring break last week they were busy applying the lessons they learned in the classroom to real world situations.

As part of their Leader in Me lessons the students at Ardena held a "Leadership Day" in honor of their achieving Lighthouse Status in the program while the Taunton student council was recognized for their work helping people affected by Hurricane Sandy.

At Taunton the Leadership Day included tours of the school which were guided by the students as well as performances by the different grades and a lunch where students worked as the servers. The event included appearances by Assemblyman David Rible as well as Mayor Bill Gotto and Township Manager Helene Schlegel. 

Superintendent Enid Golden was also at the school and said it was an impressive showing for the whole Ardena Community. "It takes a lot of above and beyond for the staff," she said of the program. "Not only during the school day but also summers and volunteering and once they realized they had the whole staff commitment they really went full steam ahead."

Ardena Principal Deborah Pennell said it has been more than three years since the school started working with the Leader in Me and has seen how effective it can be at many levels. "It's our skin, not the clothes we're wearing," she said. "It's how we live and how we function every single day."

The school recently became the 38th school in the world and the first in New Jersey to earn Lighthouse status. Pennell said the honor was nice but not why the school took on the program. "The lighthouse is just a symbol for other schools that this is where you go to see where the leader in me is fully implemented. Just like a ship in the storm knows this is where you come to find safety they're coming to Ardena to find best practices."

From Kindergarten through fifth grade Pennell said she was proud of the work the students did during the day. "Today was a celebration to honor our leaders in the school and to show other schools what the Leader in Me is all about." 

On Thursday longtime Senator Robert Singer came to Taunton to recognize the work those students had done in the wake of the powerful storm that wreaked havoc on the Jersey Shore. After two weeks of having their schools closed by the hurricane and ensuing snowstorm the students quickly got to work on a gift card drive to help those in need. 

Student Council advisor Cari Kennedy said the students worked hard because they either knew people who were affected by the storm or knew of people who had sustained damage. "The goal right away was how can we help," she said. "As a teacher it was a lesson in empathy rather than sympathy." 

Kennedy said gifts of sympathy included items like clothing and food. "Gifts of empathy meant looking at what really happened and what do these people need," she said. "When they lost everything and felt so vulnerable we felt the best way to empower them was to give them some sort of monetary amount that they could then go and restore some sense of dignity and buy what they need and what they want."

The gift cards were bought for a variety of stores including restaurants and department stores and Kennedy said they came in increments of five dollars and more. "For each gift card donated we would write their name on a plank to erect our own boardwalk in the hallway with the people's names who had donated." 

What started as a slow tickle of donations quickly grew with people lending support from around the country. By the time the drive was done the Taunton students had collected more than $1200 worth of cards. They were then given to First Presbyterian Church in Manasquan who Kennedy said could properly distribute them. 

The fact that Sen. Singer came to school was noto something Kennedy said she had even considered when the students began their work. She said the Senator had read about the student activities and his office contacted the school. When Principal Diana Rochon heard Singer wanted to come she said the recognition should extend to more than the coordinating students. 

Along with the gift card drive the students are once again taking part in a Math-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. When he learned the students were $200 away from their goal, the Senator said he would contribute the money himself.

Kennedy said that was another unexpected treat. "It's mind blowing," she said. "We're just a little small school. We're just two teachers who just love hanging with these 12 wonderful girls who have amazing ideas and are full of energy." 

The veteran teacher said she has also seen the positive affects of the Leader in Me program. "When you start at the kindergarten level it starts to trickle up," she said. "Each year is another positive affirmation that what your'e doing is working. You are in charge of you. You are in charge of the type of day you're going to have. You are in charge of if you reach your goal or not."

Singer said when he heard what the students had done he wanted to give them the recognition he felt they deserved. That recognition included a proclamation from the state assembly. "It's exciting to see bright young people that worked so hard to raise money for the victims of Sandy," he said. "I thank them so much and I wanted to personally come and thank them."