By Marquisha Henderson, CM-Thomas Jefferson 9th Grade Academy
Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Are leaders born or made? A question that plagues the mind of most that’s in search of true leadership. On December 6th, thirty students at Thomas Jefferson 9th grade Academy dedicated their 50 Acts of Leadership to someone or something during the dedication ceremony. These students have seized the opportunity to become leaders in the 9th grade.
The 50 Acts of Leadership Program is designed to provide intervention to targeted students that need extra behavioral support. It is also a student enrichment behavior coaching program and is a part of City Year’s Whole School, Whole Child model. Through the program, they begin to understand that their actions have consequences that affect others and themselves. Participating students keep a Leadership Log, in which they document how they helped others in four categories: a) Parent/Guardian/Family b) Teachers c) Peers/Friends d) community members. Their goal is to do and document at least 50 distinct Acts of Leadership for people in these groups by the end of the year and for the 50 Acts of Leadership in May 2012.
The 50 Acts of Leadership dedication ceremony held at Thomas Jefferson 9th grade Academy was a great success – over 40 students, family and friends attended to support the students and City Year Initiative. Our guest speaker, Victor Ruiz, Executive Director of Esperanza spoke to them about true leadership. He told them that a true leader leads a group or organization without fearing to be a follower at times. Leaders take action and motivate others to take action. Leaders put visions and passions into action. Leaders set goals and have a clearly defined purpose. Most importantly, leaders take responsibility for their actions. Many of students could relate to Victor Ruiz because he had also attended and graduated from a CMSD school and because of his Hispanic ethnicity – I believe this meant more than anything to them. As the time came for the student dedications, all attendees were upright waiting to hear the students speak. Many students dedicated their leadership acts to one or more of the following: family for raising them and being a positive role model, a girlfriend or boyfriend for pushing them to be better, life for its un-expecting challenges, and City Year for being there every time they were needed. The most memorable dedication was from Joshua, a 9th grade student. Joshua had his lines completely written out, but when he approached the podium he decided to say,” I used to be bad (at this moment he pauses and began to cry), but City Year changed me to become good.” At this very moment we realized why the 50 Acts of Leadership Program was important. . The progam has given the students ownership of leadership, responsibility of their actions, and reflection with satisfaction. At the end, the students recited a Leadership Pledge, written by corps member Yoellie Perez:
I pledge to walk through life as a leader;
to take each step with purpose.
The things I think, say, and do affect myself and those around me.
I will build positive, strong relationships.
The actions of others will not keep me from reaching my goals.
Through adversity, I will stand strong.
I will do what is right, not what is easy.
I will make positive contributions to the world around me, by being a leader in my family, community and nation.
There’s nothing better than encouraging students to become active leaders and self-aware of their strengths and weaknesses. One can only imagine the excitement experienced by those students as they walked across stage with a sense of accomplishment.
City Year Cleveland 