Student leadership conference a success
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers STRIKE UP THE BAND- Pathways to Leadership guru Mike Wood, right, a nationally acclaimed student leadership trainer, begins a workshop with a humorous kazoo song performed by, from left, Agoura High School senior Melissa Womak, Santa Monica High School student Alex Spence and Oak Park High School junior Ethan Rader at Agoura High recently.

Student leaders from 10 local high schools enjoyed a high energy, informationpacked seminar called Pathways to Leadership at Agoura High School on Feb. 1.

The allday event was presented by Mike Wood, a nationally recognized developer of student leaders.

Russell Stephans, a teacher and Associated Student Body coordinator at Agoura High School, organized the event.

"It was really an actionpacked day," Stephans said. "What really worked well for Agoura High School's ASB class was we got to interact with other schools and see how they put on their events. The goal was to get everybody involved and working together."

Students known for their leadership skills were selected by their high school principals to participate in the event. Student representatives from Los Angeles through the Conejo Valley, Moorpark and Simi Valley participated in the event, said Mike Pugh, an event organizer.

Pugh is the Southern California representative for Balfour, a student recognition program that provided full scholarships for all students selected to attend the event.

The seminar focused on providing student leaders with an additional arsenal of skills. Pugh said the seminar offered the same techniques used by leaders of top corporations, including American Express, General Motors and Home Depot.

Equality among students, teachers and administrators was central to Wood's presentation. Activities removed adult participants' titles to allow students to participate on what Pugh said was a "level playing field."

"A level playing field opened corridors for interactions and exchanges of ideas that seldom occur in formal educational settings," said Barry Davis, a sponsor of one of the events conducted last year.

Activities were designed to challenge students to "think, plan, create and make good choices," Pugh said.

"I thought it was an uplifting experience," said Francis Mowry, a sophomore at Agoura High School. "It was good to see how the schools worked together and how we all came together as a group."

"Young leaders simply need the confidence and opportunity to shine in their community and school," Wood said. "It is important that they understand the positive impact they can have in their peer-driven environment."