This year, Buffalo High School’s Leadership Council, lead by Administrator Vicki Cary, has organized the eighth grade tour to double as a retreat. In previous years the tours have been lead by Students Stepping Up, but rather this year the groups have combined to lead the retreat together. Leadership Council consists of leaders throughout many of the schools activities, such as Student Council, Future Famers of America, Cultures United, and sports teams.
“We wanted to have something stronger in place for when 9th graders started here,” Cary. “It made sense to combine the tours with something more than logistics.”
The retreat will take place on May 2nd. Half of the eighth grade class will visit the high school at a time, separated by gender. During the retreat the students will not only get a feel for the school and how to navigate it, but get a more personal experience by getting to know leaders. All leaders of the Impact Retreat will be asked to contact their students prior to the tour, and also attend freshman orientation as a follow up to the event. The purpose is to establish a personal relationship with the upcoming freshman and give them a sense of comfort during their freshman year. Leaders also took part in a leaderships training session with Motivational Speaker Shaun Goodsell, that helped them to become better leaders and learn how to make connections with students.
“I want leaders to take this seriously, to really understand how to connect with others, and invite and connect with the kids so they feel welcomed,” said Cary. “It’s time for our student leaders to give back- pay it forward.”
There will be large group speakers, and then the group will be split into sub-groups and small groups. During each of the various stages of the day, the students will have a speech by a community member, faculty or alumni, while they share about people that have impacted them, and how student can make a positive impact.
“We’re asking students to determine their impact,” said Cary. “You can have a positive or negative impact, and we’re focusing on how to many a positive impact on others.”
