It’s our time to become leaders

Anyone can be a leader - whether you’re a child, a teenager or an adult. You could be small or tall, strong or weak, old or young.  Leadership isn’t about how you look or how young or old you are; it’s about setting an example. Being a leader means taking on the role to set an example for those around you. 

Attending an eighth-grade leadership retreat at Camp Chingachgook is a special tradition at Holy Spirit School. At Holy Spirit, we take leadership seriously. Being the leaders of the school is a tradition, which all of us look forward to. I had been considering transferring to a public school, but I have stayed for two reasons: to be with my friends and to set the example for those in line. 

 A surprising aspect of this retreat is that we learn about leadership without realizing it at the time. For example, at Camp Chingachgook we go canoeing.  Eight of us share one canoe.  This exercise helps us see that we need to work as a team to get somewhere. Through teamwork, we create a rhythm, which moves us toward our goal. But, we’re not perfectly in sync. At times, one paddle hits another, but we still kept working together to reach our goal.   

The canoe trip symbolizes that leadership involves working together as a team — not perfectly, just together.  Being out of sync relates to who we are as an eighth-grade class. We may not be perfectly “in sync,” but, together, we are stronger and make a big difference. Working together gives us and others hope.  

The eighth graders at Holy Spirit School are a very diverse group. When we combine our different talents, we have a huge impact on our school.  We set the example and tone for our fellow students. Our leadership is not about being “at the top.” For us, leadership is about serving others.  

The ropes course at Camp Chingachgook teaches a different, but connected, lesson about leadership. Being a leader means you need to know how strong you are emotionally and physically, but you also need to know that at your weakest and strongest moments, someone is there to catch you if you fall. For my classmates and I, this means that even though we are diverse and not always “in sync,” we are still always there to help and support each other. None of us need ever be afraid to ask for help. Everyone needs help sometimes, even if you feel like the strongest person ever. A good leader asks for help. 

As eighth-grade leaders, we demonstrate respect to others and lead by our example of conflict resolution. We read the names of students of the month at prayer service, we are the first in a rotation to read prayers and announcements, and we design projects and lead some of the classes for our kindergarten reading buddies. Often, it is our task to talk to other students, encourage the middle schoolers and assist the teachers and staff.  As school leaders, our voice is heard, considered and respected by the adults and students in our community, and we value this opportunity.  

Leadership is not just handed to us on the first day of eighth grade. Both inside and outside of the classroom, we are being prepared for this role. Field trips, class lessons with our teachers and life conversations with our principal, families, and friends form who we become as leaders. These experiences help us handle the responsibility of being trusted and relied upon, so we can go to high school, ready to make our own difference.  The leadership Mass, the pinning service, and the Camp Chingachgook retreat are the public symbols of our personal growth. 

For me, being an eighth-grader is a unique opportunity to be a leader. I know this privilege of leadership involves a few parts: knowing who has my back, setting a positive example, working with others, and stepping outside of my comfort zone.

Gianna Naples is an eighth- grader at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush. She, along with her eighth-grade classmates, recently attended a leadership retreat at Camp Chingachgook to prepare themselves to serve as the leaders of Holy Spirit School for this year