Testimonials...
Former Students
“I learned leadership, team-building, and service skills in peer class that I have used throughout my entire career. It greatly helped to foster my identity and leadership development. The peer program greatly enhanced my education through a holistic approach to the learning process. As a pastor 90% of my job is dealing with people, the service class provides the setting for students to learn leadership skills that will greatly enhance their personal, social, and academic development.”
Dan Eisnor, class of 1994 (pastor, New Hope Community Church)
“It is essential to learn the core subjects in school, however, I feel it is equally important
for adolescents to have a positive support system, to learn not to be egocentric, and to learn the importance of ‘giving back’ in life. Teenagers tend to be self-focused, and peer class taught me that true happiness comes from serving, listening, and advising from the heart.”
Kelly McQuillen, class of 1999 (pharmaceutical representative, community volunteer)
“With many issues of the schools being within the hands of teenagers, any outside individual’s solution holds no interest amongst the teenagers. Therefore, the leadership and ability of teenagers to work together are invaluable to the growth of the school and community.”
Ara Bartemes, class of 2002 (United States Air Force Captain)
“The leadership qualities I was taught have taken me from being an average student, to one who realizes the importance of taking initiative, standing up for what is right, and serving others, and I was given the confidence to accomplish things in life I never thought were possible.”
Michael Bogden, class of 2003 (student physical therapist)
“Not only was our service to the community very satisfying, but it taught me how to interact with different individuals. I have continued to incorporate the tools I learned from this leadership program in my daily life. Since participating in this program, I am better rounded and better prepared individual - ready to make my transition into the real world”.
Faith Greenawalt, class of 2004 (president, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Tiffin Univ.)
Other
“I cannot say enough about the benefits of the peer class program for our residents. This is such an outstanding program, filled with compassion and love for others. By the end of the year, the residents of our facility felt like they had a new family. Some of our residents who did not respond to anyone responded and felt a special love for these students.”
Carolyn Ackerman, activities director, Erie County Senior Care Facility
“Among many other positives, the peer class gave senior citizens the opportunity to interact with the youth of today to see firsthand how their tax dollars are utilized. These students conducted so many worthwhile projects within the community that greatly
enhanced school-community relations.”
Vicki Doty, administrative assistant to superintendent - Huron City Schools
“As a high school teacher I experienced the effects of a teen service-learning program in the school community, and found it to be an extremely positive force. Students reached out to one another with friendship and kindness, these acts contributed to a caring atmosphere, and a spirit of positive energy. They made all of us feel good. What a benefit to have a group of students working toward improving their school through creative ideas, cooperation, and the art of giving. What a benefit to have a course that teaches and fosters the virtues of service.”
Sally Green, retired English teacher – Huron City Schools
Letters of Support - Former Students...
Joseph M. Fantozzi
3121 Buffalo Speedway, #2105 • Houston, TX 77098
832.584.3782 • Buckeyebarrister@hotmail.com
To Whom it May Concern:
President John F. Kennedy stated, “… ask what you can do for your country.” President George W. Bush called on Americans to help "foster a culture of citizenship, service and responsibility." So what can you do to make a difference? The implicit issue in this question is that people want to help, but don’t know how to help. The answer is Teen Leadership Corps.
In my opinion, the best way to establish a sense of purpose in one’s life and have a meaningful impact on your community is by supporting teen leadership groups, and there is no better group to support than Teen Leadership Corps. I promote this peer group in particular because of the measurable positive results it has yielded in my own life.
Like most anything else, the earlier you learn a skill, trade or behavior, the more likely you are to continue that characteristic and improve your skills over the course of your life. I was extremely fortunate to participate in a peer leadership class while in junior high school and in high school. I learned skills such as problem solving, counseling, leadership, setting an example, and group management. I have used these invaluable skills to help me succeed throughout life and most notably at college, law school, in the practice of law, and in my present community service roles in the Houston, Texas community.
Teen Leadership Corps provides a positive, passionate message of leadership, civic duty and sense of community. Most importantly it teaches the skills necessary to provide young people with the ability to do great things throughout their entire lives. The learning is accomplished through classroom presentations and real world experiences, which introduce young people to the world around them under the umbrella of volunteerism. Simply put, Teen Leadership Corps provides the foundation upon which young people can build to positively impact themselves and their community, no matter where life takes them.
So what can you do to make a difference? The answer is to invest in our community’s future by supporting Teen Leadership Corps.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Fantozzi, Esq.
Ohio State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Association of Corporate Counsel
The Ohio State Alumni Association
-Houston Buckeyes Chapter
St. Theresa Catholic Church
To Whom it May Concern:
I am 22 years old and a graduating senior at The Ohio State University. I have been going to school for 18 years of my life, now, and I cannot recall everything I learned in my 8th grade American history class, or my 11th grade world literature class. I cannot recall an equation from my first year statistics course at Ohio State and probably couldn’t even list the terrestrial planets that I memorized last quarter in my astronomy course.
But ask me to describe the look on 6 year-old Cassie’s face every Thursday during our Big Brother/ Big Sister together time and I could do it in an instant. Ask me to tell you about the truly touching moments I experienced while spending time with Dorris and Mary in the senior citizens home once a week or the things that Jacob, a 7 year-old physically challenged child, taught me about life during our Saturdays together through the PALS (Playing, Accepting, Learning, Socializing) program. These moments of serving others, of giving of myself, these are the moments that have changed my life and shaped me to be the person I am.
I cannot express how significant I know these service programs and activities have been in my life. Especially as a high school student, inundated with due dates, group projects, mid-term tests, and final exams, it was instrumental in my life to be able to step outside the world of “me” and really focus on another human being. Learning, at a young age, to serve others and to contribute to your community by giving of yourself and your time is imperative in this society. Not only did I learn how to deeply connect with others that were far different from what I was used to, but I also learned about myself and how to use my gifts in a very positive way.
Through programs that emphasized service and leadership, I have been able to positively affect my community and set an example for people younger and older than myself.
I believe in programs like these because I believe we all have a responsibility to take care of each other, not only to look out for ourselves. It is important to put these programs into action now, in order to teach our children how to be positive leaders. We need to teach them that they can make a difference. If we can do this, I believe our children will grow up not only to be responsible adults, but adults that care about their community, and will pass their knowledge to their own children.
As I quickly approach my final quarter at Ohio State and my last weeks as a student, I find comfort and confidence in my desire to serve others through leadership and compassion. I know that wherever my life might lead me, I will continue to give of myself and, hopefully, positively affect the community that surrounds me. These service programs have provided me leadership experience and awareness of others needs essential to leading the life I believe in. I am truly grateful for that and sincerely hope that more students will be given the same influential opportunity.
Most sincerely,
Kalee Basting
Senior, The Ohio State University
667 Mallard Crossing Way
Columbus, Ohio 43215
419/366-0920
Melissa Eiden
12130 Park Dr.
Orient, Oh. 43146
melissa.eiden@swcs.us
February 8, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in support of the Peer Leadership Corps. I had the privilege of taking part in a peer program during three of my years of high school attendance. This class provided me with the opportunity to not only find out more about what I was capable of accomplishing in my own personal life, but also the ability to see the power associated with community service and giving to others. The peer program created a positive learning environment for the students and the staff in many respects. It brought together students from all walks of life for the common mission of building a safe, happy and enriching environment. The program also supported many community organizations and empowered students to work with people of all ages, races, genders and economic statuses. As a student in this program, I was able to work to set and achieve meaningful goals that benefited the community as a whole. I could see that even as a young person, I had the ability to respond to life’s challenges in a positive way. Without this program, I truly feel that much of what I have become today would not have fully evolved.
As a current public school classroom teacher, I see a strong need for peer programs such as the Teen Leadership Corps. Current programs in high school education focus on putting together students with the same common interests. This program will provide an opportunity for student leaders to come together from various social groups to work collectively on bettering the school and local community. The program will also provide students with the tools necessary to feel empowered to stand for their beliefs. Self-esteem levels will rise when these young adults realize that they have the capability to address school and community issues. The effects of this program are long lasting in that they provide leaders that will be active in education, business, government and communities across America.
Please feel free to contact me so that we can speak more about the positive impact that peer leadership training had on our school community, our local community and myself as an individual.
Sincerely,
Melissa Eiden
Second Grade Teacher- South-Western City Schools
Building Site Steering Committee
Building Technology Coordinator
2003-2004 Harrisburg Elementary Outstanding Educator
2005 Walmart Teacher of the Year
2007-2008 Harrisburg Elementary Outstanding Educator
Letter of Support - Administrative...
To Whom It May Concern:
John Sculley, former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Computer stated, “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.” This quote captures the essence of this letter of recommendation.
While I was an assistant principal at a high school, it became obvious to me that we, as educators, tend to teach to the bottom. Standardized tests require a minimum score to pass, students on an I.E.P. must meet or exceed minimum goals to move forward, and students must meet minimum standards to graduate. We, as educators, tend to target these “bottoms” and feel good when students meet or exceed these “bottoms.” What’s up with that?!
Now, I see possibilities at the “top!” I started a leadership course at my school and found that it was possible to challenge the brightest and most ambitious students. This leadership course empowered students to develop programs and activities that would improve our overall school environment. The student body liked that! We promoted volunteering and raising money for charity. Our community liked that! We taught the leadership skills necessary to help these students influence their peers in a positive way and to be successful as they headed off to college. The parents really liked that!
When I started this leadership course, we started from “scratch.” We neither had a
curriculum to follow, nor a guideline to adhere to. The students and I selected the books, the field trips, the guest speakers, and the activities for this new course. This required a
lot of time and work on everyone’s part.
Now, we have Teen Leadership Corps. This program provides everything I wish I had when I started my leadership course. Administrators will like it because the curriculum is spelled out for the teacher, parent, and child. The advantages of offering a leadership course are clear and make it an “easy sell” to everyone.
Students who took our leadership course will tell you it was the most beneficial class they took in high school! Maybe it’s time we see the possibilities at the “top” before they become obvious . . .
I would like to offer my support of the Teen Leadership Corps!
Sincerely,
Steven J. Poe
Superintendent / Principal
“As superintendent of Huron City Schools, I saw and felt the tremendous benefits of the peer program. Peer programs promote and cultivate positive relationships within the students, staff, and community as a whole. The community views firsthand how positive and helpful students are, and students recognize the incredible impact they can have on their peers and within their community. Administrators who want a positive environment in their buildings will find that the positive attitude exhibited by individual students can and will have enormous benefits for the entire student body. This program will set a new standard for ‘effective schools’.”
David Ritter, former superintendent of Huron City Schools
