Teams of third-graders were busily counting up tokens to see which earned the most when doors burst open, two masked men ran through throngs of screaming 8-year-olds, kidnapping their guest of honor, Wolfie, Clarkston’s school mascot, right from under their noses.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom ? a plastic jar filled with tokens, but none of the teams had enough to fill it.
What to do?
‘How about we put them all together,? a student suggested.
Pooling all their coins provided just enough, and the masked men released their furry captive, to the delight of all.
The entire morning’s activities at Springfield Plains Elementary School, Jan. 22, including the big finish, were designed and led by Clarkston High School’s LEAD students.
‘They wanted to add a little bit of a drama element to drive home the message,? said Aaron Dobson, LEAD advisor. ‘The students have been working in teams all morning, and we wanted to bring them together as a school at the end.?
About 40 students in the high school’s Junior/Senior Student Council and Sophomore Leadership Development classes taught leadership skills, character education and community building at the Leadership Training Conference.
‘What are some things you learned,? a LEAD member asked the assembled third-graders just before dismissal.
‘To organize,? one called out.
‘It’s good to be unique.?
‘It’s good to be nice to other kids.?
‘Work together to get the job done.?
‘Working together helped get Wolfie back,? the LEAD student said. ‘We wouldn’t have gotten Wolfie back, that’s for sure.?
The LEAD members organized the third-grade students into teams of 7-8, and led them through six exercises and activities, all based on a rainforest-adventure theme.
‘They wanted a thematic focus to help make it fun and interesting, make it a challenge,? Dobson said.
‘We want to build students? confidence, and give them skills to be more successful in life,? said LEAD student Jack Durkan. ‘Third graders are at a perfect age.?
‘They’re old enough to understand leadership concepts, but not too old to work with,? said Andrea Diemert, LEAD student. ‘We hope to come back and work with their student councils.”
The LEAD students presented their leadership-challenge idea to all seven Clarkston Community elementary school principals, and will conduct the program all over the district.
‘What better way to teach students leadership skills than by high school kids ? all the children are in awe of them,? said Principal K.C. Leh, Springfield Plains Elementary. ‘It gives the high school kids hands-on leadership opportunities.?