Spring Break
ECU hosts Youth Leadership Development program
Students from across Eastern NC learn the tools of leadership
Nadiah Sarsour
Issue date: 6/11/08 Section: News
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According to Tarrick Cox, director of the Legislative Leadership Development program and a former student of the institution, this is a program that first took place in 1989.
The program is bringing students from rural areas of eastern Carolina to a two-week residential summer session.
June 14-20 marks the first session and will house high school students. The second session will be held June 21-27 for middle school students.
Cox says they are expecting 100 students to show up with selected students nominated by school counselors, teachers and principals to this program that aims at developing leadership skills.
"It helps them find directions, helps them become better problem solvers, helps them with critical thinking and helps them become well rounded students," said Cox.
According to Cox, students will "be attending classes and participate in various activities designed to enhance leadership developments," including community services.
Cox hopes students will carry on the wave of knowledge and experience they develop in order to contribute to their communities and that they will become the "change agent in their community."
Diana Lys, lead coordinator for the Office of Professional Development and Student Outreach, said community services would give students an opportunity to utilize their experience to reflect on their community.
"They see the impact they can have on that community organization and they can plant that seed where they want in their community," said Lys.
Cox also hopes that holding ECU as the program's cradle will propel the "I want to go to college concept," he said.
Among the list of activities mapped out for the participants, camp leaders will cover a book by Sean Covy, designed to help students learn habits of bettering themselves.
There will be an opening session to map out weekly expectations to parents, answer questions and introduce staff.
According to Cox, staff members include public school teachers and students from ECU and other universities.
The Legislation School for Youth Development program is funded by the North Carolina
General Assembly.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com
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