The weekend-long Workshop, beginning on March 8 and concluding on March 10, 2024, held several team bonding and group planning events, all aiming to promote personal and social growth.
“The lessons of leadership, teamwork and confidence that are taught are things that will be needed for the rest of our lives,” said junior and LW staff member Grace Melendez. “It helped me grow socially and form bonds that I wouldn’t have normally made.”
Before departing Ocean Lakes on Friday, keynote speaker James Imbriale addressed the delegates regarding the weekend ahead of them. After arriving at Triple R Ranch, the camp at which the Leadership Workshop (LW) was held, delegates were introduced to their counselors and shown an introductory dance and skit. Following the introduction and “Operation Workshop,” an event focused on spy-themed relay games, delegates and counselors enjoyed an aloha-space-themed dance party to end the night.
“It was really fun and somewhat stress-relieving to be able to dance and sing with my friends,” said freshman Kamie Santos. “My council team, Monsander, was able to learn how to work together as a team, and in the end, we won first place overall.”
On Saturday, delegates partook in instructionals titled “Finding your Inner Element,” “Coping with Conflict” and “Building a Balance.”
“I learned to identify the areas that I needed to work in more and things I need to do less,” said Santos. “I found out what type of leader I am.”
Former LW staff member and Ocean Lakes alumnus Nate Bushey spoke to the delegates regarding his experiences during past Workshops and presented a slideshow containing pictures of previous Workshops, adding pictures from the 2024 Workshop at the slideshow’s conclusion. After the delegates and counselors created friendship bracelets and cards for kids staying at CHKD, they performed a skit.
“I learned how to include everyone and be even more understanding,” said Melendez. “My favorite experience definitely had to be bonding with other staff members and seeing what the delegates came up with.”
After all of the participants packed up on Sunday morning, keynote speaker Jim Cartwright delivered his “Take it Back” speech, where he encouraged the participants to take what they learned at LW and apply it to their behavior at Ocean Lakes.
“I chose to be a Leadership Workshop advisor because it truly makes me happy,” said adviser Christina Barnhart. “Workshop reminds me of why I became a teacher. To see students enjoy themselves while learning new leadership skills is absolutely amazing.”
