Since 2010, Leadership Workshop has impacted hundreds of students’ lives. This upbeat program has inspired many to step outside their comfort zones and learn the ins and outs of teamwork. The 2025 Leadership Workshop staff includes 22 staffers.
Senior Abbie Funk
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at workshop?
To try and make the most out of the time I have left in high school. It can be so hard balancing school and life but workshop has given me something really special and I want to honor that by being more present and trying even when it feels impossible.
Favorite workshop activity?
I love Great Workshop Competition. I also enjoy boundary-breaking. And electives. And the chants. I just love everything about it.
What made you join staff?
Everyone says how workshop basically changed their life and that happened to me, too. I don’t really remember the first workshop I went to that well, but I didn’t feel super connected to it because I wasn’t letting myself go. I wanted to try harder the second time around and it was so much better. I also had friends as staff knew so many people and felt so connected to the community. I wanted to stay as involved with workshop as I could and I really wanted this experience and these irreplaceable memories.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
I was in Aquiela in ’22 and Takahe in ’23.
Junior Alaina Palalay
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at workshop?
The most important lesson I learned was to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and learning how to break out of my own boundaries. Because of workshop, it has helped me be open to more experiences and have fun doing it!
Favorite workshop activity?
My favorite Performing songs and skits!!
What made you join staff?
l wanted to give back the same joy I experienced my first Salem workshop!
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
I attended Shslw in 2023 with Vulpecula and in 2024 with Tahake.
Junior Ava Saunders
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
It takes all types of people of different backgrounds and skills to lead.
Favorite workshop activity?
Friday night entertainment!!
What made you join Staff?
I was really shy my freshman year, like didn’t talk to anyone, and Rowe referred me to workshop. After that first time it became my favorite thing about Salem. I really want the delegates to feel wanted within their community, and leadership does a great job at making people feel valued.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Aquila in 2023 and Weka in 2024
Senior Bella Seminario
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
You don’t have to do everything yourself, there are always going to be people to support you and help you along your journey. Asking for help does not mean you are weak, it shows your strength
Favorite workshop activity?
Boundary Breaking
What made you join staff?
To create an impact on the next generation of leaders in our school the same way my counselors/staffers did when I was a freshman and sophomore. I was able to break out of my comfort zone after those 2 workshop experiences, and have taken on so many new and fun responsibilities as a result of my time at workshop.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Zokassa in 2022, Equuleus in 2023, and Spec op in 2024
Senior Brandon Walker
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
I learned the importance of providing guidance and trusting people to do the task.
Favorite workshop activity?
Skits
What made you join staff?
I wanted to join workshop in order to teach logical thinking in time of crisis.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Weka in 2024
Junior Daniel Brown
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
To Be myself, I don’t have any reason to be shy.
Favorite workshop activity?
Boundary Breaking.
What made you join staff?
I love workshop! And I want to impart a little workshop magic on people too. I love workshop! And I want to impart a little workshop magic on people too.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Ophiuchus in 2023 and Apteryx in 2024
Senior Elora May
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
I learned that communication really is key, everything has a way of working out as long as you communicate.
Favorite workshop activity?
Group cheers!
What made you join staff?
I wanted to be a part of the magic behind Workshop and make sure it was as amazing for the new delegates as it was for me.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Celeste in 2022, Equuelus in 2023, and the Spec Op for Kakapo in 2024
Senior Emily Johnson
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
To open up. I’ve always been a little bit shy, so being forced into a group of 20 some strangers is definitely one way to get me to open up more, and the friends I’ve made because of it are some of the best people I’ve ever met.
Favorite workshop activity?
Skits and songs 100%. I love seeing how creative each of the councils are and I love seeing the process of making the skits/songs., whether it be good or bad because it builds character and connections.
What made you join staff?
I wanted to make an experience for the delegates that was even better than the amazing previous workshops I’ve attended. Each council, each year, has become so special to me and I want to give that same experience to so many others.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Vulpecula in 2023 and Weka in 2024
Senior Kenny Warlick
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
The most important thing I think I learned in workshop was to be myself. I used to always follow what was popular and hide the things I really enjoyed. Being a part of workshop showed that being yourself will help you in the end.
Favorite workshop activity?
My favorite workshop activity is Friday Night Entertainment. I think it’s a great way to bring all people together as well as help brush away the first-day jitters of workshop.
What made you join staff?
I wanted to join Staff because of people like Sammi Easmeil and Bella Quinones. They made workshop magical and I wanted to spread that magic.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Pajamaja in 2022, Equueleus in 2023 and a Spec Op for 2024
Senior Kiersten Francisco
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
There is literally no reason to worry or care about what others think of you, as long as you are having fun.
Favorite workshop activity?
Friday night entertainment and boundary-breaking.
What made you join staff?
Leadership workshop is truly an experience you will not be able to get anywhere else. After freshman year, I immediately knew Staff was something I wanted to be a part of in the future; Workshop made me realize my potential and completely changed me into a better person, and by being on staff, I would be able to help bring that experience to someone else.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Zokassa in 2022, Ophiuchus in 2023, and Weka in 2024
Junior Lolo Elmquist
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
To be a leader you don’t have to be the loudest in the room. All leaders bring a different set of skills to the table and a good leader knows their strengths and weaknesses and can use that for the betterment of the group!
Favorite workshop activity?
Circle games. It’s so fun to hype your council and the other councils up before the next workshop activity. But to be more specific, “Ride that Mustang” is the most fun thing ever.
What made you join staff?
Workshop has genuinely changed my life and how I view things every day. The impact past staffers have had on me is tremendous (like my sister Luci Elmquist, who first influenced me to go to workshop). I truly could never thank them enough and I hope to influence other Sundevils to step out of their comfort zones learn who they are and make so many new friends along the way just like the staffers before me!
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Monocerous in 2023 and Greebe in 2024
Senior Mackenzie Estrada
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
Have trust in others!!!
Favorite workshop activity?
Boundary breaking or Friday Night Entertainment
What made you join staff?
I wanted to be apart of creating an experience that truly impacted who I am today.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Valus in 2022, Equuleus in 2023 and a Spec Op for Weka in 2024
Junior Mirabelle Malone
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
The most important lesson I’ve learned at workshop is that I’m capable of more than I think I am.
Favorite workshop activity?
Songs!
What made you join staff?
I wanted to join staff because workshop has given me so much it only felt natural to give back to workshop by being on staff. And staff if really fun.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Ophicus in 2023 and Apteryx in 2024
Senior Vivia Phan
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
You can only grow if put out of your comfort zone.
Favorite workshop activity?
Circle cheers we do before any event.
What made you join staff?
I’ve always looked up to my workshop staff as a delegate and wanted to feel that sense of belonging and community.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Hokulani in 2022, Vulpecula in 2023, and Grebe in 2024
Senior Xavier Singletary Bailey
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
It’s okay to be yourself because you will attract people who are just like you.
Favorite workshop activity?
Friday Night Entertainment or Boundary Breaking
What made you join staff?
I really loved the way the counselors my previous years made me step out my comfort zone and make new friends/ experiences i wouldn’t have gotten without workshop. I think i could do the same to the delegates of this year!
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
Vulpecula in 2023 and Weka in 2024
Senior Xavier Goric
What is the most important thing you’ve learned at Workshop?
I learned How to work with those you disagree with.
Favorite workshop activity?
Boundary breaking
What made you join staff?
I love the spirit and unity that is found within Workshop and want to continue the legacy.
How many workshops have you attended and what councils were you in?
I attended in 2024 in Kakapo council
