By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
An idea without legs is simply a thought that can wander aimlessly without shape or meaning for an eternity and accomplishing nothing. But give an idea legs, better yet 84 legs, and who knows where it will lead or what it will accomplish.
That is exactly what Crawford County’s six public high school principals have done and the early returns are more than promising.
“It’s just starting,” said Colonel Crawford Principal Jake Bruner about the newly formed Leadership Academy. “Where is it going?”
The idea for the Leadership Academy was formed at Leadercast, a live, worldwide simulcast promoting leadership principles and ideas that has been shown in Crawford County each of the past several springs. Dr. Michael Martin, principal at Buckeye Central, thought those principles should be put in play to develop student leaders in the high school buildings across the county.
is peers at Bucyrus, Colonel Crawford, Crestline, Galion and Wynford were quick to not only agree, but to coordinate their efforts into what they call their Leadership Academy.
“It’s a momentum changer in the county. Something has impacted these buildings all in two weeks,” said Wynford High School Principal Jeff Holbrook, noting that real world results from ideas often don’t measure up to their hypotheses. “The idea (for Leadership Academy) was great, the reality is outstanding.”
So to whom do the 84 legs belong? To the 42 students, seven upperclassmen – juniors and seniors – selected from each high school to be part of the Leadership Academy.
“They were chosen because they’re great leaders now, or have the potential to be great leaders,” Martin said. “We want active change agents in our buildings. We also want to stop the ‘brain drain’ in our buildings.”
Along with Bruner, Holbrook and Martin, Bucyrus High School Principal Dr. Mark Burke, Crestline Principal Keith Strickler and Galion High School Principal Ron Williams used various methods to select their representatives to the Leadership Academy, often with input from their respective guidance counselors.
The principals turned to an avowed disciple of leadership development, Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, for a study guide. They are using Meyer’s book “Above the Line”.
The Leadership Academy will come together five times during the school year, each time at a Crawford County business. That business will host the students and principals, including lunch, give them a tour of that business and share jobs and career opportunities there.
Martin says it’s one thing if a top student leaves Crawford County because the career opportunities he or she is seeking don’t exist here. It’s another thing entirely if that same student leaves because they weren’t aware of the opportunities that do exist.
“Then it’s my fault,” Martin said. “That is my responsibility.”
The Leadership Academy has already had one such meeting in September at The Pickwick Place. The next one is tentatively set for Nov. 22.
“My kids are already looking forward to the next one, they loved it,” Strickler said.
Martin emphasized the Leadership Academy is specifically designed to go hand-in-hand with other leadership development opportunities already in place like the Leader In Me program in several of the districts, and C U Lead organized by Crawford: 20/20 Vision and funded in large part by the Ohio Mutual Insurance Group.
The practical form of student leadership varies from building-to-building. Borrowing directly from Meyer’s book, Holbrook calls his students at Wynford the “7 Units.”
“My kids are recognizing other kids in the buildings for exemplary behavior,” Holbrook said. He shared an example of one girl being recognized when she physically carried another on her back down a flight of stairs during a fire drill due to her being unable to exit because of a leg brace.
“I don’t know about you, but I call that exemplary,” Holbrook said.
At Crestline, Strickler said his Leadership Academy students are mentoring peers and younger students. Bruner said his Colonel Crawford crew is following much the same pattern.
Martin, at Buckeye Central, has formed an advisory group with his selected students to identify issues facing their peers and then developing student-led solutions.
But it isn’t just the students who are benefiting from the Leadership Academy.
“The kids are getting a lot out of it, but I’m also getting a lot out of it,” said Strickler, who is in his first full year as a building administrator. “It’s helping me develop as a new leader in Crawford County. This has been great for me.”
Bruner pointed out that the principals, as well as the students, are learning from each other’s experiences.
“We all face similar problems and situations,” Bruner said.
Businesses who are willing and would like to be a part of a Leadership Academy host experience are encouraged to contact any of the high school principals at their respective buildings.