Leadership Workshop is a weekend long adventure that starts Friday February 28 in the morning. At that time, those delegates chosen to attend bring their weekend bags to the school and give them to the staff in the commons. At the end of first bell, they head down to the auditorium where a speaker presents and they are divided up into councils for the weekend. These councils are made up of 18-22 students that the delegates will work and grow with over the weekend. Together they will learn leadership qualities, the attributes of a win-win person, and how to function well in a group.

“When students sign up to go to workshop, they are not quite sure what they are signing up for,” said teacher and advisor Mrs. Lacy Krell. “The whole idea of workshop is that the theme remains a secret until the weekend of.”

This year brings major changes to the workshop experience. For starters, the traditional venue is moving. This year, students will be spending the weekend at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center instead of Triple R Ranch.

Another significant change this year is the staff profile. Of the 22 staff members, only one member is a returner from last year. As a senior, Ella Hayes is making her final appearance on a highschool workshop staff.

“I’ve been going to leadership workshops since I was in the third grade. It’s pretty much shaped my life and my attitude about leadership,” said Hayes. “I love it so, so much, I appreciate everything it has given me and the legacy it will allow me to leave behind.”

Maliq Hall is another senior on staff, and is enthusiastic about his first year on Leadership Workshop staff.

“Being on staff has been a great experience. If I were to give any advice, make sure you take this weekend to step back from everything stressing you out and focus on self development while having a little bit of fun,” said Hall. “Don’t be afraid to talk to new people and see how you can be connected in the Salem community and communities outside of school.”

Leadership Workshop is one of those experiences where you are meant to be uncomfortable some of the time and that’s a good thing. The whole experience is built around building you into a better leader and stronger, more confident version of yourself.
“For me one of the biggest and hardest parts of leadership workshop is the unknown, but that’s a big part of being a leader,” said Mrs. Krell. “You don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you want to take responsibility for something, but you don’t know exactly what it is.”

Leadership Workshop is a place like no other. It is a chance to break out and discover yourself.

“Workshop is an unforgettable weekend of fun, new discoveries, and finding your inner leader, said senior Morgan Brown. “Its benefits are immeasurable and last a lifetime. You will never regret going.”