LEAD scholars become social samaritans

LEAD scholars are taking their leadership skills out of the classroom and into the community with a new program.

On Oct. 12, LEAD students held their first social change event. Now, they hope to continue their efforts in the future.

Approximately 40 LEAD scholars took part in organizing the event, which was held in Devereux, Fla.

Scholars organized a Halloween-themed party for the residents and staff of Devereux, a residence that serves mentally and physically challenged children ages 8-17.

All of the standard Halloween party accompaniments were in place: spooky decorations, candy and classic fake vampire teeth. Students practiced leadership skills while interacting with residents and staff through games and activities.

Twenty pizzas and several mummy-wrapping sessions later, residents, staff and scholars reached a level of sugary, social satisfaction.

The first event was a great turnout, second-year LEAD scholar Keegan O'Brien said. The environmental engineering major enjoyed herself at the event and felt like the scholars made a difference.

"I was very happy to see how well the students bonded with the residents at Devereux," O'Brien said. "I knew everyone would get along, but I was just very pleased to know that we definitely left a good impression on the residents there."

LEAD program director Lauryn Migenes is passionate about social change events and has two more slated for this semester.

Social change is a leadership theory that integrates the individual, the group and society. Through this cohesive model, a student can gain a sense of all three elements and use this awareness to greater achieve goals.

Migenes plans these events for LEAD scholars to open their minds and broaden their opportunities. She hopes that the scholars will be able to utilize their skills learned in the classroom to showcase their abilities outside of it.

"Everyone can succeed in this classroom world because it's all simulated, but let's go out there and practice this and see who is really able to succeed," Migenes said. "It's all based upon their leadership, specifically social change leadership."

Migenes will continue the social change events throughout the semester as her goal is to take students to three different venues that each encompass a unique aspect of community. The program director hopes to touch upon the following areas: campus leadership, hunger and homelessness and youth and education.

On Oct. 20, the LEAD scholars visited Keeth Elementary School, where they organized a fall festival for students and their families. Scholars organized arts and crafts and games while preparing and serving food for roughly 400 attendees.

The LEAD program specifically targeted Keeth Elementary because it is a school being threatened for closure by Seminole County due to lack of budget.

With Migenes' two community goals met, that leaves one more social change event to be planned by the scholars by the close of the semester.

A warm, home-style Thanksgiving dinner will be brought to the residents of Boys Town on Nov. 9. Boys Town provides emergency and residential shelter for abandoned, abused and neglected children in Central Florida.

The LEAD scholars will not spare any of the holiday fixings; a full turkey dinner spread will cost around $500 for the shelter.

Aside from the money spent, the scholars are aware that their efforts mean something to the individuals they visit. A drawer full of homemade "thank you" cards in Migenes' office serves as proof.

An open mind and knowledge of her students' capabilities allows Migenes to lead the scholars toward community leadership excellence. She lets the scholars take initiatives in what projects they want to be responsible for based on their personal strengths.

"I think the positive energy that we have really feeds off each other; our ideas get bigger, and the synergy we have creates something so much more beneficial for the community," Migenes said.

Through successful endeavors and community partnerships, these social change events pave the way to the development of confident LEAD scholars in the community in addition to the classroom.