The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation funded a grant to help send our high school student leaders to the Michigan State Leadership Conference. This past February, nine of our high school student council executive board members attended the conference held in downtown Grand Rapids to learn from other student leaders from around the state.
One student shared, "I really enjoyed talking with fellow high school students from across the state of Michigan. I learned many new ideas to incorporate into our student council and was able to share stories about our wonderful EGR community. I enjoyed the guest speakers and their passionate presentations, spending time in downtown GR, and the student celebration!"
The Michigan Student Leadership Conference focuses on developing young leaders through high school outreach and collaboration. It is the largest student leadership experience in Michigan. Thousands of students from hundreds of schools gather over one weekend each year to network, share, learn and grow as leaders.
In the grant request, the advisor for the student council, EGRHS teacher Joe Meston stated, "Our goal is for student council members to gain new leadership skills and strategies that can be used to positively influence the student body and bring students together around shared goals. Through this experience, student leaders will learn effective communication, organization, and planning skills that will strengthen student voice and engagement at our school."
This grant is a great example of the types of "above and beyond" opportunities that the Foundation loves to support. This grant was also a great collaborative example, as the group also received funding from the East Grand Rapids High School Parent Teacher Organization.
