Pictures-Registration, Welcome, Confluence
Pictures-Guest Speakers
"Choose to Lead!" was the theme of the START youth leadership conference on the Nichols College campus June 8th and 9th. Over 95 students participated from 67 high schools throughout New England in the 2-day residential experience which included exercises in identity building, leadership and goal setting.
Guest speakers on several panels spoke to the theme. Mass. Representative Karyn Polito told students that her inspiration to become a public servant was her 93-year-old grandfather, one of the longest-serving committee members in the Town of Shrewsbury (Mass.). "As a child, I remember listening to him discuss the needs of residents around the dinner table," she said. Polito stated that having her name on the ballot and winning the race was nothing: "It's all about what you do with that responsibility while you're in office."
Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong believes that self-awareness is an integral element to leadership. "You have to understand who you are and what your strengths are," she said, "and most importantly, know how lucky you are." Wong disclosed that to stay motivated through the hard times, she choose a theme song to inspire her; she hopes START graduates will do the same.
Worcester District Attorney Joe Early Jr. said that in the beginning of his law career, he was constantly hearing what a great difference his politician father made to local constituents. "I was making a lot of money," he revealed, "and it wasn't easy to give up. But helping people and making a difference is what is really important." He went on to tell the young leaders that they would hit a lot of bumps in the road. "Things happen for a reason...it's how you respond," he said. "It's much harder to be mentally tough than physically tough. Never give up!"
In one of the Monday START sessions, WBZ Correspondent Ron Sanders told the ninth-grade that he has a "front-row seat" to life. Sanders, who's reported on seven presidential races and interviewed many community leaders, stated: "To be an effective community leader means listening to what people want, simplifying their message, and then, communicating it back to them and to the people who can help them."
Business guest speakers included Pres. & CEO of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce Richard Kennedy, and two Nichols alums - CFO of New York Life Inv. Mgt. David G. Bedard and Acct. Ex. Protector Group Ryan Fasold. Nichols Professor Luanne Proko presented a session on personal responsibility using social networking sites such as Face Book. And for a "difference maker" project, students completed an energy audit of Nichols' buildings facilitated by "green" Architect Brian Baer and Nichols' Environmental Science Professor, Dr. Mauri Pelto.
Conference motivational speakers included Charlton native Katelyn Weymouth, who lost both her feet to bacterial meningitis while a freshman at UConn, and Nelson Lauver, who at the age of 29 set a goal to overcome a lifetime of illiteracy. Diversity trainers Al and Keith Toney of Worcester presented an interactive session on assertiveness, rights and acceptance.
Nichols College Vice President of Administration Susan Tellier has been the driving force in launching the START program with co-sponsor Dr. James Fitzgerald of the Student Leadership Training Program. For this service, she was recognized as a Massachusetts Unsung Heroine in a ceremony at that State House in Boston on May 14th.
"It was such a pleasure to work with these enthusiastic, attentive students," says Tellier. "They eagerly embraced the leadership concepts, asked very intelligent questions, and worked together well in their teams. The START experience leads me to believe that our country will be in excellent hands when these students reach the workforce."