Students Hone Leadership Skills at 'You Lead'

Editor's Note: The following article was written by Wilmington Middle School eighth grade student Craig Venezia, who attended the "You Lead" conference in January along with several other local students.

There was a Peer Leadership conference known as “You Lead” that was held Friday, January 20, at Nashoba Valley Technical High School. The Wilmington Middle School Peer Mediators attended this conference to work with, and advance the students’ peer leadership skills.

The following students attended: Craig Venezia, Nick Poli, Teddy Miele, Mackenzie Casey, Christina Fruciano, Julia Masiello, Erica Pudvelis, Jocelyn Ferraro, and Maeve Sullivan, accompanied by Assistant Principal, Mrs. Doran.

The students participated in many activities throughout the day that helped build good peer leadership skills, learn the dangers of substance abuse, and also meet some great, new people.

Teddy Miele won a debate that students from other schools participated in that gave both sides (in favor of doing drugs; against doing drugs). This activity was to make students familiar with some of the things that people will say to you to try to get you to do drugs, and give into the peer pressure.

Another activity the students participated in was to get into groups with other schools that consisted of people we did not know and write a short poem or skit describing the people in our group. Students were only given five minutes to accomplish this task.

While other schools were still arriving, students created posters that described their schools. Some of the thinks that had to be included were a school mascot and school colors; something nobody knows about your school; and what your school does to maintain a substance free environment.

This provided students with some other ideas to bring back to their school, and incorporate it into their substance abuse curriculum. Some schools also had many similar activities as the Wilmington Middle School to confront drugs, and bullying such as , and the 2^nd step program.

Students learned how to confront other students that are giving into peer pressure and getting involved in substance abuse, and also how to resist peer pressure, especially in middle school, and high school, where it is more relevant.

All-in-all, the day was a great success. The staff really put together a well thought out program that helped students learn how to abstain from substance abuse and empowered us to make healthy and safe decisions.