Student-Leaders Named As “Hidden Heroes”

As potential heroes to their younger peers, specially selected students from the junior class attended a recent leadership training workshop to help them take a more active role in daily campus life.

About 30 juniors were identified as student-leaders who exemplify Hamden Hall's five core values and represent them well on campus.

Head of School Bob Izzo addressed the group of students to kick off the morning workshop.

“As student-leaders, you not only help create a positive and welcoming environment for all, but possess the qualities to make great leaders beyond these halls,” said Mr. Izzo. “Leadership means taking an active role here on campus using your personal skills to make a difference. Be open minded today to what you know and what you do not know.”

The leadership training workshop was organized by the efforts of Upper School Director Kim Porto 1987, Academic Dean Justine Fellows, and special guest facilitator and educator Pascale Musto. The students selected for the workshop were representatives from Student Government, Lower School Mentors, Middle School Advocates, athletics teams, and other clubs and organizations.

Mr. Musto opened the workshop with the question: what is leadership and what does it means to be a leader? The students quickly raised their hands and offered answers such as being a good listener, offering support and guidance, being encouraging and saying hello, and working in service of others. Other follow-up questions and discussions included ways one can show leadership, the challenges of being a student-leader, where to find support as a student-leader, and what excites you about being a student leader.

Following a quick video segment, the programming transitioned into pair’s discussion about heroes and where to find heroes. Mr. Musto noted that the Lower and Middle School students do look up to the Upper School students as heroes, and it’s important to empower others and use your best character traits to be a hero. The students were instructed to write a note to their Hamden Hall hero and explaining why this person has inspired them.

The final exercises of the workshop focused on interactive scenario sequences in which the students were asked to rank different situations from most to least difficult to tackle as a student leader. In their chosen groups, the students discussed each scenario and what the best approach would be in terms of asking for guidance from a teacher, adult, classmate, friend, or handling the situation themselves. The students determined that asking an adult for help would be the case for most of the scenarios.

“As student-leaders, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact that inspires others,” said Mr. Musto. “Every scenario discussed today has the real possibility of happening, and using the qualities and skills you naturally embody can help more people than you realize. Compassion, understanding, and a simple hello can make all the difference.”

According to Mrs. Porto and Mrs. Fellows, the students will participate in similar workshops throughout the year.