Cardinal O’Hara hosts student leadership summit in February

TONAWANDA — Students from four area high schools took part in a leadership summit at Cardinal O’Hara High School on Feb. 15.

The Courageous Leadership Academy Summit, part of Inside Out Schools, concentrates on providing students ways to become good leaders.

The theme, “Capturing the Heart,” according to Inside Out Schools founder and presenter Mike Masters, is that leadership is serving and giving your life and talent to those who are entrusted to you.

Love was its underlying premise for the four-hour long conference in O’Hara’s Performing Arts Center.

The high schools participating were Cardinal O’Hara, Akron, Franklinville and Pembrook.

The first presenter, Bridget Niland, dean of Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, spoke on relationships, both with each other and the community.

Masters then presented an energetic talk on the attitude of gratitude, belief not to get bitter, but get better and a belief that things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.

“Attitude is a choice,” he said. “Life is not about me, me, me. When things are difficult, that’s when you shine,” he continued.

Casey Kacz, one of the organization’s directors, led the students in a leadership game of action.

“I love working with kids,” he said. “Anyone can be a leader. However, kids are lacking the way to leadership and they’re hungry for leadership. We help kids change their minds and always be positive.”

Brody Schmutzler, a freshman at O’Hara, called the conference “incredible.” “It really showed us how to be leaders for others and to make sure to lift up others before yourself,” he said.

A balloon game, with groups of 10 students each group trying to keep five balloons in the air at once, was a hit with all the students.

“The speakers were really enthusiastic and they got everyone involved and in it,” Tyler Illig of O’Hara said.

The second half of the summit was devoted to the theme “Love always trusts, hopes, protects and perseveres.”

Lilly Pietrowski, a senior at Akron High School, said, “It was like the speakers understood us and showed us how to be competitive. The games showed us the transformation of thinking.”

O’Hara freshman Meredith Ogiba said, that for her, the conference taught her to focus on herself and what she can accomplish.

Jaden Varner, an O’Hara sophomore, said he learned to always take the harder part of life.

Jermaine Moss, a junior at O’Hara, summed up the students’ feelings, saying, “You should always give more than you receive.”

Following the summit, the students enjoyed a lunch in O’Hara’s Student Dining Room before returning to their schools.

Joleen Dimitroff, O’Hara principal, summed up the day commenting, “United in purpose, and driven by collaboration, our joint leadership conference has illuminated the power of diversity and unity in shaping tomorrow’s leaders. We thank Mr. Masters and Mr. Kacz for affording us this impactful experience.”