Along with being President of the sophomore class, Honaker is a member of Beta Club, a 4-H counselor, and has been selected to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
“Only sophomores are selected to attend so it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Honaker. “[My favorite part of having a leadership position is] just being able to work with different people and meet new people through my leadership.”
Youth Leadership month is not just for those who lead within their schools, but also shows appreciation for those who lead within their communities. Junior Kevin Hopkins is Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta but is also a Patrol Leader of his Boy Scouts Troop and a 2nd counselor of the Priest Quorum at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“I help out with the activities that the 16-18 years old youth group at my church do,” Hopkins said. “I really enjoy all of it because I get to hang out with my friends and help other people.”
Opportunities for youth leadership are available throughout the entire year. Senior Kayla Hill is a member of National Honors Society, Sign Language Club, SkillsUSA, and the Gay-Straight Alliance during the school year, but she also does leadership over the summer as a counselor for the special needs children that attend Camp Happy Acres.
“I worked with special needs children with my church and it made me want to explore more,” Hill said. “It’s awesome to be able to teach them because some of the kids don’t know how to read or write.”
Taking a leadership position within school or the community has more benefits than just making a college application or resumé look good.
“[A leadership position] helps you be more confident in yourself,” Honaker said. “It also motivates you to do better things.”
During Youth Leadership month, students are encouraged to try new clubs and keep a lookout for more opportunities to take advantage of that they normally would not. Youth Leadership has lasting effects on those who participate.
“It helped me realize what I wanted to do with my life,” Hill said. “It helps to make a difference if that’s what you want.”
