The Winner’s Circle

The Winner’s Circle, which is the Roberts High School leadership class at the Structured Learning Center, has been learning how to lead!

The class extends leadership knowledge and experience by researching various topics, giving presentations, and participating in activities with an opportunity to practice some of these leadership skills. The Winner’s Circle recognizes student’s achievements already in the areas of academic focus and making healthy choices in their personal lives. Class selection was based on teacher referrals of students who performed well in class and stood out as potential leaders.

Students have been reporting on Elements of Success, Decision Making, Motivating People, Communications, and Mentor Relationships. Students have created power-point presentations and led discussions of their topics as they explore and discover the ingredients of leadership. Cody Thomas, presenting on Success, made the point that success is how you define it and setting goals is essential.

The Winner’s Circle ventured out to the ropes course for a day of practical learning at The Salem YWAM (Youth With A Mission). The activities included the zip-line, the big swing (really high big swing) and other challenges that explore our fears, courage, communications, decision-making, cooperation, leadership and followership skills. Several students admitted they were way out of their “comfort zone”, but as a result of participating they developed a lot of trust and found the exercises to be helpful in team-building.

Andres Espinosa and Amanda Murdock both thought the big swing was the “scariest”. Amanda commented that she learned “I can do anything I set my mind to”. Some of the activities focused more on team success. Andres learned that “we have to talk to our teammates to be successful.”

The Winner’s Circle continues to learn about our individual strengths and weaknesses, how to meet the challenge and problem solve, and ways in which we can contribute to our community.