MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERSHIP

BY WIZ APPLEGATE, MIDDLE SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER

Growing Leaders

Every Tuesday during lunch period, 13 Middle School Student Council representatives settle into the Kullman Commons Conference Room to cultivate a different type of growth.

Our Middle School student leaders plan and strategize initiatives requiring that they not only share their opinions but constructively and kindly disagree while taking into consideration each other’s points of view. Through this process, they learn the challenges and nuances of distilling big ideas into actionable goals and begin sowing the seeds of progress.

Some of our leaders’ most recent discussions revolved around the Dodgeball Tournament’s logistics, hashing out winter spirit week themes, planning a visit to Wilmington’s City Council and spotlighting the Delaware KIDS Fund as our featured charitable organization. From assisting Mr. Mulvena with “Minute to Win It” games to Snack Shack sales/logistics, Middle School Student Council leaders imagine and inspire, facilitate and execute, and learn how to be teamcentered while engaging the talents of others.

Veteran, fourth year Student Council representative Margo Weymouth ’27 feels leaders need “to have ideas on how to improve wherever they are.” Situated in a setting of trust and freedom, our principled problem solvers gain first-hand practical experience of what it means to be a part of something larger than oneself. We refer to it as servant leadership.

Eighth grade student Charlotte Vanni, new to Student Council this year, reflected on running for a seat. “To be a leader, it was kind of difficult for me at first to get up on the stage. I don’t have fear of public speaking, but it’s hard to do in front of your classmates, especially when you might not get elected. When you put yourself out there to help overcome fear it shows a characteristic of being a good leader—to put yourself out there and just be ready to expect anything.”

Blossoming leaders are sprinkled throughout the Middle School. During the spring semester, we offer over 20 different clubs and encourage students to start their very own organizations. Fifth grader Keegan Barillare organized a club, because he knows that “a lot of us love lacrosse.” He took the initiative to speak with coaches Bonnadio and Aitken and then during Club Assembly, he “got up in front of the entire Middle School and talked about how if you’re new to lacrosse or an experienced player, you can come out... it’s for everyone.” Keegan defines a leader as someone who “perseveres, follows the rules and sets a good example so others can follow and do the right thing.”

Head of Middle School Tim Weymouth says, “we know that leadership is not innate. It is a repertoire of skills that are grown and developed through handson work.” Every day our students’ ideas are put into action whether serving as Homeroom Captains, coordinating a secret snowman gift exchange or starting a Movies Club. Flourishing leaders such as eighth graders Kelsey Mathu and Maya Warthen know that “risk-taking, facing rejection and stepping up” are all necessary ingredients for leadership. They are just some of the Middle Schoolers enjoying the many opportunities Tower Hill offers them to blaze trails.

As Tower Hill educators, our charge is to facilitate an optimal environment for learning and growth, both inside and outside of the classroom. Our metaphorical garden serves up the sun, water and a nutritious place to anchor roots. And participation in activities such as school band, strings, athletics, theater and chorus provides a fertile field where Middle School leaders have room to thrive. Whether it’s working toward an inspired rendition of “Fly Eagles Fly,” putting a ball into a net, running lunch announcements or producing and directing our Good Morning Middle School videos, all activities require enlisting the aid, cooperation and support of one’s peers. The accomplishment of a common task, regardless of how inconsequential it may seem, requires both social influence and practice, as well as an understanding that sometimes things won’t always go as planned. But by providing our Middle Schoolers with a climate that allows them to manage their time, work as teammates, solve problems, set goals and even fail, they are learning essential life skills.

Head of Middle School Tim Weymouth says, “we know that leadership is not innate. It is a repertoire of skills that are grown and developed through hands-on work.”

Every Tower Hill student has the potential to be a good leader. And while physical, cognitive, social and emotional variation permeates “Life in the Middle of It All,” we make sure one variable remains constant— room to grow and expand. With a spring shower here and there, you’d be amazed at what can grow!