News

Middle School Students Describe What They Would do if They Were Community Leaders

09/14/07

Twenty-five 8th grade students from 10 Clark County middle schools took part in the SPLASH (Springfield’s Planning Leadership-Avetec's Seventh Grade Heroes) program by presenting their ideas for Springfield.  SPLASH is an education program put on by the Clark County Educational Service Center and Avetec for gifted and talented students.  Through SPLASH, the students had the opportunity to collaborate with their peers from other schools to explore one question: What would they do if they were the leaders of Springfield? 

Their exploration began in April of this year when leaders in the community spoke to the students about Springfield and future plans for the community.  The students were then divided into 5 teams and asked what they would do if they were the community leaders.  In the following months, the students worked with their teams to develop ideas.  On Tuesday, September 11, the students met at the Kissel building in downtown Springfield to present their ideas to a consortium of community leaders including Sheriff Gene Kelly, Executive Assistant to the City Manager Shannon Meadows, Superintendent of Springfield City Schools Jean Harper, Director of Education and Programs for the Heritage Center of Clark County Ardath Dellapenia, and retired OSU Extension Agent Bob Cripe.

The students’ ideas ranged from building new recreational centers downtown to helping the homeless of Springfield.  The community leaders in attendance highly praised the students’ hard work.  “I encourage you to continue following your passion,” Meadows urged the students.  “We need people to stay involved and stay committed.  We should all be proud to have you on our team in the coming years.”