The High School Peer Leader Conference began with a rousing mix-and-mingle as 600 students introduced themselves and briskly traded school stickers. The goal: meet new people from other schools and collect one sticker from each of the 16 schools represented at the conference. “This is the most fun,” said Kirsten Baker, assistant principal at North Gwinnett HS and 2016 conference coordinator. “Getting them all together before the day begins is one of the best parts.”
The full-day conference was held at the John C. Maxwell Leadership Center at 12Stone Church. From the keynote and breakout sessions to the closing challenge from South Gwinnett HS graduate Arequevious “Q” Crane, the theme of “Legends of Legacy” guided the day.
“We wanted to challenge the kids to believe that they could be a ‘legend of legacy’ and not just the folks presenting,” Ms. Baker said. “They can have influence on their campus and they can leave a legacy, whether it’s a huge initiative that they create or it’s Individual Legacy 101 where they tutor one student and help that student to be better through the time spent [together].”
GCPS has peer leader programs at every school level. At the high school level, juniors and seniors may be recommended by a counselor to take the two-semester Peer Leadership course, a social studies elective.
“If I had to define it, [the class] is about communication skills, it’s working in teams, it’s problem-solving, it’s group dynamics, and vision setting. I would categorize those things as soft skills,” said Ms. Baker. “The other expectation is that these students are serving their campuses or their community in some fashion.”
Those expectations might include serving as tutors in feeder elementary and middle schools, working in high school administrative offices, supporting special education classes, or participating in a community aid project.
The enthusiasm of the students was continuous and contagious, from the roll-call to the final farewells. “I wanted to know how to grow, leadership-wise, and get to know the skills and qualities that I’ll need to be successful,” said Justin of South Gwinnett. “What I’ve learned today is that teamwork and being comfortable with the people that you’re working with is crucial to making sure that you get the job done.”
Austin, a student at Lanier HS, added, “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people. It’s been great to get out there and meet a lot of different people from the county and from different schools. I love that. I was looking to better myself and my leadership skills for my school, so I can develop leadership in my school as well as in the people around me.”
Jalen of Duluth HS - I wanted to get to know other people and see how they interact.
Hannah of Central Gwinnett HS - I was looking forward to getting to know how to build my leadership skills and become a better leader. You have to use your gifts to your advantage and you have to work with what you know.
Justin of South Gwinnett HS - I wanted to know how to grow, leadership-wise, and get to know the skills and qualities that I’ll need to be successful. What I’ve learned today is that teamwork and being comfortable with the people that you’re working with is crucial to making sure that you get the job done.
Saher of North Gwinnett HS - I’ve learned a lot about the future and how I need to plan. I’ve figured out my college major now because of the speaker, Lyndon Early.
Abby of Dacula HS - I was interested in seeing every other school coming together as one and try to get the big goal of being peer leaders and leading our schools and taking things back to our schools. I’ve learned that we all have a gift and we need to find our gift, and then go forward with our gift.
Austin of Lanier HS - I’ve enjoyed meeting new people. It’s been great to get out there and meet a lot of different people from the county and from different schools. I love that. I was looking to better myself and my leadership skills for my school, so I can develop leadership in my school as well as in the people around me.