FROM LEADERSHIP TO LIP SYNC BATTLES …AND ALL THE LIFE LESSONS ALONG THE WAY

By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist

LLike most people who catch a glimpse of the Junior High’s House Lip Sync Battles, I was gobsmacked and inspired to dive into writing about how it all amazingly comes to fruition. So I set off to learn more by talking to the House Leaders to get the full process picture. For those who are not familiar with the Junior High House System, House Leaders are the male and female students selected by their fellow House members. Prior to that, House members are randomly sorted to discourage cliques and deepen community. Leaders run House meetings, organize events, do devotions, run chapel, and represent their peers in the Leadership Council.

The 2022-23 House Leaders are Zachary Boils, Skeet Boshears, Adalyn Calva, Noah Heard, Laura Morris, Allie Redditt, Stephen Robinson, Harper Watson, Blakely White, and D.J. Young.

MS/JH Principal Tyler Eatherton coordinated my visit with the House Leaders during the Leadership Class he conducts with them. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, what I was blessed with during that time was beautifully more complex and bountiful than I had expected.

The students were engaged in a Famous Leadership Challenge (bell ringer exercise) where they had to find the missing word(s), decipher, and research a Winston Churchill quote while also being prepared to discuss and apply the meaning of the quote to leadership and life.

The quote for that class period was, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” These eighth graders were all engaged in a discussion of a much higher caliber than one would typically expect of their age.

After the bell ringer wrapped, it was time to talk Lip Sync Battles. The panel discussion rolled out with each Leader conducting themselves professionally as they conveyed their thoughts. I have worked in the corporate and nonprofit sectors since the early 90s. And, these kiddos used some real world management moves. They had to assess the task’s scope, create action steps, monitor progress, and adjust accordingly, all while juggling occasionally messy adolescent emotions and relationships.

“The main goal is to have fun, but it was stressful at times.”

- Skeet Boshears, Ignis House

“It’s about teamwork, supporting each other, and being equally energized.” -

Harper Watson, Ventus House

“There’s so much growth and bonding as a community.”

- Blakely White, Bratus House

“It’s different from the other House competitions. Everyone cheers for everyone.” -

Adalyn Calva, Maré House

“It’s important to see as leaders that we all spend so much time preparing. The day of it rolls around and everything runs smoothly.”

- Noah Heard, Ventus House

This whetted my appetite to learn more about the proverbial leadership iceberg floating below the lip sync waters' surface. Mr. Eatherton was key in finding out more:

“This is the fourth year of Houses. House leaders are voted on every April. There’s an application process, faculty review, speeches, House voting…not a popularity vote. They have to be in it for the right reasons. Houses actually want to pick the right people, good leaders that will help them win competitions.

The first two years, House Leaders met during lunch, but we learned they were juggling a lot. We created a required block class. They receive grades, do projects, set agendas, discuss issues, and problem solve. Twice a year, they lead as LRCA ambassadors for visiting schools.

At the beginning, we dive into personalities and then cover four units over the course of the year including self-leadership, how to lead others, connecting with others, and spiritual leadership. The materials used are the Bible, Tim Eller’s “Habitudes”, Ron Clark’s “The Essential 55”, and “Talk to Me” by Kim Bearden. We also study historical leaders.

One of the hardest things for them is in the spring when they’re tired while also dealing with teacher and student expectations…the awkwardness of thinking, do my friends like me…when am I Leader and when friend, and knowing boundaries. They learn a lot about themselves and that they can be multi-dimensional. Everybody has many facets. Jesus forgave, but He was also tough on sin. House Leaders are athletes, studious, from all walks of life, friend groups, family backgrounds, and they all become best friends.”

Eighth grade BWV teacher Michele Glover shares, “They change so much in the leadership role and gain so much humility. They understand the weight of their responsibilities and work hard in everything they do.”

The act of lip syncing may not be about actually singing, but what happened during the JH House Lip Sync Battles and is happening every day in the House of Enthusiasm is the real deal…leadership and lessons for life!