At Deephaven Elementary, 5th grade students have led a food drive for the ICA food shelf for 10+ years. The effort is supported by teachers Kelli Whiteside and Karl Boberg, but primarily put together and executed by students involved in the Student Leadership program. In only a few days, the Student Leadership team, made up of more than thirty 5th graders, collected more than 2,700 items and nearly $400 for the drive.

“It's great because the students are [participating in Student Leadership] because they want to; they commit to after school time and to things that happen during the school day. There is a complete range of where students are at in their leadership development within the group – as well as in the type of leadership students display,” said Whiteside. “It’s thrilling to see the change from the beginning to the end of the school year. The confidence students gain from leading this project cannot be measured.”

Over the years, the Student Leadership team has led other service projects and donation drives, including Toys for Tots and book drives. The ICA food drive is just one of the opportunities these students have to participate and lead in their school community. 

“The group of students who participate in leadership can range from those who take a big and loud approach, taking charge of the group, to those who are more quiet and lead by example,” continued Whiteside. “The one thing they all have in common is that they enjoy the leadership experience and using their time to make a difference. From carrying bins, to directing other kids, to taking initiative to pick up garbage bags, when the students see something that needs to be done within the process, they take action while still making it fun. For example, some students created a wall out of all of the mac and cheese donations while counting them for the ICA!”

The goal of student leadership, and of giving students the opportunity to lead projects like this, is to allow for students to develop leadership qualities that will continue to serve them for the rest of their lives. Within the lessons included in the Student Leadership experience, students learn how to stand up to peer pressure, clearly communicate to a team, about the importance of learning from others and how to prepare for the future. 

“When students are equipped to lead and given the opportunity to lead, great things happen!” concluded Boberg.