Two perspectives, one weekend

Salem High School’s Leadership Workshop was the weekend of February 25- 27th, 2022. This year, we both attended for the first time. Sara Zimba was a counselor and Emmaly Lemieszek was a delegate. The councils were selected at random; neither of us had any say in who was in our councils, but by chance, we were in a group together!

Going into a workshop, there are naturally things that you are hoping to get from it. Because neither of us had attended a workshop before, we were unsure of what to expect. And after the event, both of us wanted to take time to reflect and share our experiences. Workshop is a great opportunity to create friendships, come out of your shell, and so much more.  The most important thing that comes from workshop is the experience of personal growth. 

Check out our perspectives on the weekend below:

QUESTION 1: What was something you were hoping to improve about yourself? 

EMMALY’S RESPONSE (DELEGATE):

“One thing I wanted to work on was my introversion. For many years, I would keep to myself in school and not join in conversations or put myself out there to make friends. The first time I heard about SHSLW, my teacher was explaining how it changes you and how it can make you more outgoing. I was very curious to see if this would be beneficial to me for the future, so I decided there and then that I would partake in leadership workshop.”

SARA’S RESPONSE (COUNSELOR):

“I was extremely nervous that I wouldn’t be fun enough. I had such a predisposed idea of what a workshop counselor looked like, and acted like, and I didn’t see myself in that way. I feel like in my head I needed to be super high energy and quick to let go, be uncomfortable, and sing and just radiate sunshine in front of the delegates and even my peers at all times. I’m just not like that; it’s not me. But I still felt accepted and wanted and I learned a lot from that; it resonated with me.”

QUESTION 2: What was the most influential moment for you during the workshop? 

EMMALY’S RESPONSE (DELEGATE):

“The most influential moment I had was on the first day of workshop. It was our last activity before we headed home. We were sitting in a circle in the dark and we were asked questions starting from what our favorite color was, all the way to what we were most insecure about. Although these questions began to get personal, many of the delegates came out of their comfort zone and answered. My favorite part of that activity was when it ended and people were comforting each other. I loved seeing how caring and sincere they were.”

SARA’S RESPONSE (COUNSELOR):

“One of the delegates in my council came up to me and told me that they hope they’re like me one day, and it was somebody that I didn’t talk to much during the weekend; they were shy and were apprehensive about opening up and I was trying to respect that. But I think that’s why when they came up to me it meant so much.”

QUESTION 3: Have you made any relationships through workshop and how did workshop influence these?

EMMALY’S RESPONSE (DELEGATE):

“My group, Celeste, was very friendly and supportive of one another. The first time we were together, we connected instantly. I made many friends during my time at leadership workshop, and I will always cherish that time I had with them. It is always nice waving at one of them when I see them in the hallway.”

SARA’S RESPONSE (COUNSELOR):

“Yes! The other counselor of our council, Xander Krell. Neither of us were super close, obviously we were around each other a lot, but now Krell is one of my closest friends. I really appreciate him and I’m so glad that we had this opportunity.”

QUESTION 4: What do you want to tell anyone thinking about participating in SHSLW?

EMMALY’S RESPONSE (DELEGATE):

“You should totally join leadership workshop! It was such an amazing experience for me and I think it will be for anyone else that applies. You make so many memories that you will forever adore.”

SARA’S RESPONSE: (COUNSELOR):

“Just do it. Honestly, I was super apprehensive to be a part of it all. My mom and teachers, even peers, had been telling me for years to get involved and I just never did for one reason or another. There were moments of stress, and anxiety and worry, but then the moments of somebody coming up to you and telling you how much you mean just makes those negative feelings seem like nothing. It’s incredible; it’s just such a rewarding feeling to know you made an impact, even if it’s only on a few people.”