Interns Graduate from Leadership Training

Circle Round the Square interns, Nic Runyon, Robby Seeber, Breonna Lanning and Jesse Howdyshell, from our first Youth Leadership Program,  graduated Tuesday June 11 at Rocky Boots. 

Many thanks to the incredible generosity of Kevin Dotson of Rocky Boots, who donated meals and space for five weeks to provide these young adults with this opportunity. We are grateful for the community in which we live, for all of you who have volunteered your time to make what we do such a pleasure, and for the lives we are able to help change in such a positive way. 

Read about our interns in Athens Ohio Today.

Leadership Training with the Interns

 This week's leadership training was led by Ohio University Education Professor, Perianne Bates. She began with a discussion on decision making and the team had to decide who take with them on a deserted island. Suggestions ranged from Teddy Roosevelt, Gordon Ramsey and Hellboy to Superman, Emeril Lagasse and Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild.

 Then an activity on risk-taking and leadership.

 And finally, after a discussion  on creativity, the group did an egg drop experiment.

Leadership Athens County Training for Our Interns

 For five weeks this spring our interns will be joining community leaders in preparation for their roles as leaders in our summer camp. Robby, Nic, Jessie and Breeona work through a curriculum that has questions, essays and discussions. Our facilitators are:
Libby Villavicencio of Executive Director  of the Hocking College Foundation
Peter Galbraith pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville
Kevin Dotson of Rocky Brands
Perianne Bates Education Professor at Ohio University

 They also have opportunities for activities that explore different leadership styles,

Libby Villavicencio from Hocking College leads an activity.

and group dynamics.

And, of course lunch, generously provided by the Rocky Grill.

Here is a description of the program from a recent letter to the editor of the Athens News:

"The Paper Circle Project designed a leadership training course that will help the interns develop communications skills, learn to work as a team, and allow them to realize their potential as an individual to affect positive change. The course uses a combination of experiential exercises, writing assignments and discussions. During the five-week program, students will identify leaders in their lives, develop a vision for their future, and work together to accomplish objectives. As a result of this workshop, graduates will have a greater investment in the Nelsonville community that will motivate them to create a positive environment for the next class of students and other area residents."

Eva Bloom, Merri Biechler and Barbara Eiden-Molinaro
Leadership Athens County Class of 2013