It’s a good thing whenever students can participate in high-quality learning experiences outside of traditional classroom settings.
So we were pleased to read about a recent youth summit in the area that focused on what it takes to be an excellent leader.
Students from across Lake County recently descended on Paradigm on the Mentor High School campus to strengthen leadership skills and work interactively with peers and community officials, The News-Herald’s William Tilton reported.
The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve, an organization that provides programming and services to support and promote student achievement in all aspects of educational communities, hosted the Project V.O.I.C.E. Youth Summit on Feb. 18.
The group’s second youth summit built on the momentum of the inaugural event with an expanded, interactive format, including student-centered breakout sessions designed to strengthen leadership skills, encourage civic engagement and give students a platform to share their voices.
The event brought together local youth, educators and community leaders for a morning focused on empowerment, collaboration and real-world impact.
“We are centrally located, so it is nice to be able to host and get students from all over Lake County to come and learn leadership skills and hopefully take those skills back to their respective schools,” Mentor Superintendent Craig Heath said. “Anytime we can bring in outside experts to share not just knowledge, but teach skills that hopefully the students can take and eventually share and reach out to the community.”
The summit attracted more than 150 students from across the county and was highlighted by four breakout rooms that featured character and confidence building.
Christine Henninger, ESC of the Western Reserve’s Integrated Student Support Services and Wellness coordinator, led a session called “Say What you Mean, Mean What you Say,” focusing on communication skills, understanding personal boundaries and setting limits without conflict.
“Our commitment to reimagining our Youth Leadership Summits is more than innovation, it’s a game-changer for our students,” Henninger said. “Together with our school districts, community partners and the Lake County General Health District, we are creating transformative experiences that go beyond developing leadership skills by also igniting confidence, courage and purpose in young people.
“This powerful collaboration reflects a shared belief — when we invest intentionally in youth voice and leadership, we change the trajectory of schools, communities and futures,” she added. “We are not simply hosting a summit, we are building a movement that empowers students to lead boldly, think differently and make a lasting impact.”
Sandra Tenkku of the Lake County ADAMHS Board led the room entitled “You Matter: Self-Care 101,” focusing on mental health, self care and coping skills, among other topics.
The News-Herald commends the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve for developing and offering the Project V.O.I.C.E. Youth Summit. This program provides practical and useful information on the important subject of leadership and other traits that go into making outstanding leaders.
Here’s hoping that more students will have the chance to participate in this event for many years to come.