FSHS students to learn more about leadership

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Two Fort Scott High School sophomores will learn more about leadership after being chosen to attend a special seminar this summer.

Madyson McColm and Mark Garner have been selected to represent the school and community at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar June 14-17 in Manhattan, Kan. Both students were selected through an application process that was open to all FSHS sophomores.

Diana Endicott, gifted facilitator at the high school, said both students display a strong level of leadership -- in and out of school.

"They are both kids whom their peers look up to and admire," she said. "They are students that peers would look to for leadership. They are motivated, dependable and stretch themselves to be the best they can be. They're very well-rounded and involved in activities of all sorts."

At the seminars students participate in a variety of programs designed to enhance their leadership and teamwork skills.

"They will learn how to come back to their community and contribute, to be a leader and give back to their community," Endicott said.

After an announcement is made to all sophomores at the school, students complete an application and to be chosen for the seminar, must meet criteria based on involvement in activities, grade point average and other factors, Endicott said.

McColm is currently enrolled in honors classes and active in debate and forensics and the school choir. She is involved with the Scholars Bowl team, foreign language club, Interact and the National Forensics League.

McColm said it is "an honor" to be selected to attend the seminar and that she applied because she "thought it would be a good way to improve my leadership skills.

"I will be able to use the skills in college and to further my career," she said. "Any path chosen will offer success if the leadership foundation is developed."

Garner is also enrolled in honors classes while accelerated in math and science. He is involved with the National Forensics League, Scholars Bowl team, school musicals, choir, debate and forensics.

Garner said he feels "honored and a bit intimidated" about being chosen for the seminar. He said he feels participating will give him the opportunity to further and refine his leadership skills.

At the seminar, McColm said she will be learning "how to be a leader in my community." Garner said he anticipates learning ways to improve his leadership skills and "how to be a cooperative leader while still being a subordinate."

Both students agreed there are benefits to being involved in several extracurricular activities at school.

"Activities and school involvement help students learn different aspects of life skills beyond what school itself teaches," Garner said.

McColm said activities "put students in contact with people the students may not know otherwise."

"They allow students to work with and know others in a group setting," she said. "Activities teach leadership skills which will carry on into the workforce."

Garner said he attributes his academic success to "educational opportunities provided by my parents and Fort Scott High School." He added his parents, Endicott and FSHS teacher Jeff Armstrong have helped him be successful by providing guidance and opportunities.

McColm, who is attending her first year at FSHS, said she credits her success to "my mom who has always pushed me to do well in school."

"Doing my best is important to me," she said. "I have had a lot of great teachers through the years, including Mrs. Vicki Shead and Mrs. Karen Schellack, both teachers at Fort Scott Christian Heights, where I attended from fifth through ninth grades."

For more than five decades, the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program has proven to be an educational, life-changing experience that provides leadership skill development with a strong focus on community service. The mission of the program is to inspire and develop the global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation, a news release said.

Every year, more than 9,000 of the top high school sophomores from across the country are chosen to participate. HOBY programs, which teach high school students about social responsibility, making a difference and what it means to be a global citizen, take place in North America, South America, Asia and Africa, the release said.

HOBY was founded in 1958 by American actor Hugh O'Brian.

McColm is the daughter of DeAnna and Darren McColm. Garner is the son of Ruth and Bob Garner.

Fort Scott Rotary Club is a sponsor of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, the release said.