Plano Students Participate in Lone Star Leadership Academy

October 2, 2009

Fourteen Plano ISD students in grades 5-8 participated in the 2009 Lone Star Leadership Academy this summer. The students were selected for participation based on educator recommendations for their demonstrated academic success, leadership ability and involvement in school and community activities.

Plano ISD student participants, their schools and the Lone Star Leadership Academy program in which they participated were:

• Daffron Elementary School - Alexa Woppman (D/FW)
• Frankford Middle School - Michael Roohy and Erin vanCreveid (Houston/Galveston)
• Hedgcoxe Elementary School - Rhett Crossland, Spencer Grant, Cole Sims and Kayleigh Toupal (D/FW)
• Mathews Elementary School - Matthew Keys (D/FW)
• Rasor Elementary School - Alexis Chittwood (D/FW)
• Renner Middle School - Brittney Hinson and Matthew Rebello (Austin)
• Rice Middle School - Audrey Williams (Austin)
• Weatherford Elementary School - Julia Hosid (Houston/Galveston)

During the weeklong residential Lone Star Leadership Academy programs, students joined delegations of other distinguished students from across the state to develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas.

Participants experienced what they learned in school through visits to historically, politically, scientifically and environmentally significant sites including:

• Dallas/Ft. Worth program - U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District and Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
• Austin program - state legislators' offices, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, bat watching on the Lone Star Riverboat and a Cowboy Cookout
• Houston/Galveston program - NASA, the Houston Ship Channel, San Jacinto Battleground Monument and Moody Gardens

Career speakers introduced participants to a wide variety of unique career and internship opportunities.

The Lone Star Leadership Academy provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about the Spirit of Texas and what it truly means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discussed what they learned, completed problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercised creativity and practiced presentation skills in leadership groups.

In addition, participants had fun meeting other outstanding students from across the state of Texas and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.

For more information about the academy, visit the Education in Action website.