Fourteen outstanding Alvin ISD 4^th– 8^thgrade students participated in Education in Action’s summer 2018 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps. These young leaders were selected for the academy camps based on demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities. The participating students traveled to Dallas/Fort Worth (4^th, 5^th, & 6^thgraders), Austin/San Antonio (5^th, 6^th, & 7^thgraders), and Houston/Galveston (6^th, 7^th, & 8^thgraders) to take part in the camps.

 

During the weeklong, overnight camps, these distinguished students developed leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas. Participants experienced what they are learning in school through visits to notable and historically significant Texas sites.  Venues included places such as the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on the Dallas/Fort Worth program; the offices of participants’ state legislators at the Texas State Capitol, the Supreme Court of Texas, bat watching on the LoneStar Riverboat, and The Alamo on the Austin/San Antonio program; and NASA, a boat tour of Galveston Bay with a marine biologist, the San Jacinto Battleground Monument, and Moody Gardens on the Houston/Galveston program. In addition, professionals at sites visited and introduced students to a wide variety of unique careers during each camp.

 

“My favorite part of Lone Star Leadership Academy was making new friends from around the state.  I also enjoyed all of the excursions, especially rock climbing and Louis Tussand's Palace of Wax,” said Mia Luhrsen, a Wilder Elementary, now McNair Jr. High, student. “I learned leadership skills such as inclusion, teamwork, creativity, communication, problem-solving, and action.  It was a great experience!”

 

The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity, and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.

 

Alvin ISD students that participated:

Ashlynn Holley – Alvin Elementary

Allison Forbes – Hasse Elementary

Kyle Morris – Hasse Elementary

Ignacio Gomez – Jeter Elementary

Leland White – EC Mason Elementary

Mia Navarro – Fairview Junior High

Addie Fusig – Harby Junior High

Alonzo Abara – Wilder Elementary

Paris Gabriel – Wilder Elementary

Mia Luhrsen – Wilder Elementary

Christian Miller – Wilder Elementary

Aundre Amboree – Meridiana Elementary

Ruby Kloss – Meridiana Elementary

Ainsley Niven-Merriman – Rodeo Palms Junior High