By Anna Skinner
Last month, Mike Smith, author and executive director and founder of multiple nonprofit organizations, came to Westfield High School and presented to more than 600 students as part of “The Harbor Back to School Tour.”
Students from across the Midwest, including 112 from WHS, were nominated to attend the event, which was sponsored by Jostens.
“The whole premise is an inspirational talk to all of the student leaders around the state. These are the kids that really set the culture and climate of schools,” said Kurt Frederick, student life coordinator and special education teacher. “Mike Smith showed them compassion and how to act like a leader. He issued a challenge to consider leaving a legacy and what they want it to be.”
Since the tour, Frederick and WHS students met again Oct. 15 to brainstorm impact projects the students can leave and be proud of.
“These students are already in a position in which they are looked up to by their peers, and they’re already in a public position of notoriety in the school,” Frederick said. “It’s their responsibility to use that platform to project the traits and attributes they want to be known for, what they want the generation to be known for.”
WHS senior Sara Zaloudek is one of the students involved in the program. Being a Girl Scout since kindergarten, Zaloudek said she really enjoys doing service projects and helping others.
“I think the high school can benefit because we are taking students and actually sending the students out toward the community to help and getting the high school more involved,” Zaloudek said. “This will impact us just as much as the community, a lot of times high schoolers don’t get the best rep. It shows the magnitude of things a high schooler can achieve.”
For more, visit jostensrenaissance.com/theharbortv/.
