Impacting the future leadership

HURON TWP. — Students enrolled in several area school districts recently graduated from The Chapel's Impact Leadership program. It's the ninth-annual class for this seven-week program. This year, more than 90 seventh-graders took part in the program at the Sandusky-area worship center with high school juniors acting as their mentors. Among the school districts and institutions represented: Clyde-Green Springs, Edison, Huron, Margaretta, Norwalk, Perkins, Sandusky, Sandusky Central Catholic and Vermilion. "The goal is for the kids to learn to be servant leaders, growing in influence throughout their schools and communities with character and competency," according to a program statement. "Each student is one of a select few chosen by their school's principal to attend the program." This year's speakers and topics featured: • Michelle Warnke, a 15-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, who spoke about perseverance, hard work and failing forward • Mac Leher, of Hoty Enterprises; Steve West, of Bernstein Financial; Sandor Gyerman and Jared Anderson, of Andor Creative; and Elie Haoui, an internet influencer; who all spoke on positive relationships and networking • Tyson Gentry, founder of New Perspective Foundation, who spoke about overcoming obstacles • Father Brett Colahan and daughter Cam Colohan — a coach and cancer survivor, respectively — who spoke about mental toughness • Pastors Tom Groot and Curtis Johnson, who spoke about integrity and character • Lavin and Tom Schwan, who talked about not succumbing to peer pressure Many sponsors helped put this together. The Impact Leadership team is overseen by Tony Legando, Dave Baumgartner, Pastor Jay Halley, Matt Ehrhardt and Angie Frankart. "Upon identifying young potential leaders in our area, eager to grow and develop their leadership skills, we want to help them better understand and appreciate the true art of leadership," Legando said.