Submitted article
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Foundation held its annual Student Leadership Conference at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University Oct. 7. Bucyrus High School student-athletes representing the football and cross country teams, as well as the cheerleading squad, attended the daylong conference.
The conference featured several national keynote speakers discussing Qualities of Leadership, Personal Accountability, Thinking Like an Athlete, Leadership Development, Ingredients of Success and Distracted Driving. Students also received information on the OHSAA project “Community Service and Your School.”
“This conference was important to develop and strengthen the leadership qualities those chosen individuals possess,” Bucyrus Athletics and Activities Director Rick Rawson said. “They are able to bring back those new learned skills to their respective teams.”
Six student-athletes were selected by their respective head coaches, and included: Cole Murtiff, Tommy Schluter and Levi Spence (Football); Ashley Kenner (Cheerleading) and Kayleigh Seiber and Amber Harper (Cross Country).
Two of the attendees, Kayleigh Seiber and Ashley Keener, each learned different, yet important, lessons on leadership and what it means to be a leader.
“One speaker gave a quote, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’, that really stuck with me,” sophomore Kayleigh Seiber said. “If you’re given respect from adults and leaders, then you should do good things and work to meet and exceed your potential.”
“To be a better leader, you need to always be positive, never give up and always push on,” junior Ashley Keener said. “Even when you’re down, you have to make sure everyone has a good attitude and make sure everyone stays positive.”
Featured speakers during the event included Dom Tiberi, Butch Reynolds, Jerome Singleton and several other national speakers.
“Quality student athletes are important to the district to create a well-rounded educational program,” Rawson said. “These leaders may someday be a part of our community and have children that attend Bucyrus. We want them to become positive role models to those around them now, and in the future.”
Those with questions, or seeking more information, should contact Rick Rawson in the Athletics department at 419-562-2739 or email rrawson@bucyrusschools.org.