Brockport students get a lesson in leadership

Student leaders from 29 area high schools met to share ideas and gain insight at the Sixth Annual Leadership Conference held at the Nazareth College Arts Center on March 13. Forty-five Brockport High School students were among the 437 in attendance. The conference was sponsored by District II of the New York State Advisor Student Association.

Guest speaker Ed Gerety, from New Hampshire, got the students out of their seats with a motivational speech and activities. Gerety travels to high schools throughout the United States to speak on youth issues. He is contributing author of "Teen Power Too," an inspirational and humorous book for teens about the importance of believing in themselves. He talked with students about overcoming challenges and encouraged them to lead by example.

Students attended three workshops during the day and concluded with an idea exchange. They shared their best spirit activity, school event, or fundraiser. The best ideas were collected and will be sent to the schools.

"The idea exchange was particularly helpful for the students," said Mike Myers, District II representative at Brockport High School. "They are all working for the same thing; to make kids feel better about themselves, and make schools a better place." Brockport invites students from area schools to their student council meetings during the year to discuss leadership, academics and other school issues as well as share ideas. "This gives them a chance to see how we do things at Brockport," Myers said.

Several Brockport High School students will attend the National Student Council Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina in June.