Fruitland students gain chance to participate in international program
By Brielle Kennington
Argus Observer
Saturday, March 15, 2008 10:24 PM PDT
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| (From left) Anna Christensen, Kelby Cox, Madison Blackwell, Jajaira Alfaro-Garcia, Trey Nattress, Teige Neill and James Hedges (not pictured) were surprised to find out they were nominated by Fruitland Intermediate School Counselor Patrick Takagi to attend the People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. |
Fruitland - Seven Fruitland Intermediate School students have been given an opportunity to become future leaders.
Anna Christensen, Kelby Cox, Madison Blackwell, Jajaira Alfaro-Garcia, Trey Nattress, James Hedges and Teige Neill have been accepted to attend the People to People World Leadership forum in Washington, D.C. where they will learn to communicate, solve problems, practice teamwork and build character, aimed to build future leaders for America.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the kids,” Fruitland Intermediate School Counselor Patrick Takagi said.
The students were nominated by Takagi, who said he received information regarding People to People and the program’s opportunities.
He submitted seven names, and all seven were accepted.
“I always like to nominate students whenever I get an opportunity,” he said.
Seventh-grade and eighth-grade students from all over the United States and several countries can attend the forum. The forum will last a week, and not only will students learn to become better leaders, but they will also have the opportunity to tour colonial Williamsburg, visit the Lincoln Memorial, explore the National Air and Space Museum and other landmarks.
The forum will also focus on teaching the students to set and achieve goals and develop friendships with youths from other countries.
People to People was started for just that reason, to improve foreign relations through youth. If the Fruitland students can raise the $2,000 needed to attend the conference, they will stay with children their age in a hotel and attend all the activities without their parents, an idea most of the students were excited to hear.
The students learned that they had been nominated and accepted to attend the People to People World Leadership Forum at a recent awards assembly. Their parents were notified the day before so they could make arrangements to attend. One student’s mother, Rachelle Blackwell, had found out that her daughter, Madison had been accepted through information packets from People to People she received in the mail. She said she wanted Madison to be surprised when she found out at the assembly so she didn’t show her the packets. Madison was excited to find out about the forum and became even more thrilled as she found out more details.
“Yeah, I didn’t even think I was gonna be nominated for it,” Madison Blackwell said.
Though Takagi said he wished he could have nominated more students, he said he is confident that the students he did nominate will do well. One thing that really made the seven students stand out from the rest was their existing leadership abilities. He said he wanted them to develop those leadership attributes more and to, maybe, become future leaders in the classroom.
“They’re very conscientious about homework and paying attention,” he said.
Another trait that Takagi emphasized was that all the students were good listeners. He said he thinks great leaders have that same trait, and he also said he would like to see them use what they learn for good.
“They are good listeners. They listen to their peers and they listen to their teachers,” Takagi said.
This is Takagi’s first year working with the students of Fruitland Intermediate School. He said his experience so far has been a wonderful addition to his 33 years of education experience.
“I always wanted to work at the elementary level,” he said. Though he currently lives in Caldwell, he said he is very fond of the Fruitland area and was excited when he was offered a job after working for the district for half a year.
