The Kennett High School Leadership Academy held its first monthly workshop today, September 25, 2024, in the Demon Den. Our guest leadership speaker was Mr. Joey Corrado from Corrado Construction. Students enjoyed lunch and participated in various team-building and leadership activities. They excelled in identifying key leadership traits and crafting their own definitions of leadership.

The second half of the workshop introduced an overview of design thinking, exploring how this method can be applied to solve complex problems. Students were divided into teams and tasked with addressing the following challenges:

1. Team Building: How might we build an effective team that fosters strong communication, trust, and role clarity early on, so that individuals feel aligned, motivated, and confident in working together toward common objectives?

2. Service Learning: How might we engage our team in community service initiatives that are both fulfilling and impactful, while aligning with our team's strengths, values, and available time?

3. Innovation: How might we design and integrate student enterprise opportunities that are directly connected to our programs of study, enabling students to apply their skills, develop entrepreneurial mindsets, and create real-world value?

4. Marketing and Communications: How might we empower our marketing and communications team to create a unified, strategic approach that consistently resonates with our target audiences while fostering collaboration and creativity within the team?

The students showed incredible enthusiasm and collaboration in tackling these complex problems. I am so proud of this group; they continue to amaze me with their dedication and insight. I can’t wait to see the legacy the Class of 2025 Leadership Academy will leave for others to follow.

Our next workshop is scheduled for October 24, 2024, featuring a guest speaker from the business community and a design thinking workshop led by the University of Delaware. Additionally, students will register for LeadX, a University of Delaware leadership dual enrollment course, and continue working on their problems of practice. There is much work ahead for this incredible group, and I am excited to see what they accomplish next on their leadership journey!