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High School Leadership Montezuma (HSLM) is a youth-oriented leadership development program for high school sophmores and juniors to provide them with skills, knowledge, exdperiences, networking opportunities and encouragement to become partners for positive change in their communities.
What to know about High School Leadership Montezuma
High School Leadership Montezuma (HSLM) is a youth-oriented leadership development program for high school sophomores and juniors to provide them with skills, knowledge, experiences, networking opportunities and encouragement to become partners for positive change in their communities.
Participants in the program come together one full school day a month to explore a wide range of topics. Except for the September retreat, HSLM will be meeting the second Tuesday of each month. Sessions dates are listed on the last page of the application. It is essential that participants attend the retreat in September as this sets the foundation for the program.
HSLM is sponsored by the Southwest Community Leadership Collaborative and the School Community Youth Collaborative. All program facilitators and coordinators have many years of education and youth development experience, and are dedicated to improving the lives of teens in Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
Specific program topics include:
- Leadership
- Relationships
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Responsibility to Self, Others, and the Community
- Community (Education, Natural Resources/Environment, Business and Economics, Health and Human Services, Criminal Justice, Communication, Arts, Media, Government, Quality of Life)
Commitment
Students are asked to make a two-year commitment to their communities in participating in this program; first by participating in the monthly programs throughout one school year, and second by acting as advisors to the program in the second year. Students have an opportunity to interact with peers from around the area and with regional community leaders. It is crucial to the overall experience that students participate in every session, since an important aspect of the program is the camaraderie, networking and team building within the group.
Tuition: Tuition for the program is $50.00. This includes all sessions, light breakfast and lunch during sessions and any entrance fees if required. Some scholarships are available. Students who withdraw from the program after the first session will not receive a refund.
Transportation: Transportation to and from sessions is the responsibility of individual students. Special arrangements can be made if necessary to accommodate special needs.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities: As part of our orientation to the program, we hold a parent night before the September retreat to talk with parents (and students if they choose to attend) about program content (session topics and service learning project), requirements, special needs, forms that need to be filled out prior to the retreat, expectations, logistics, and scholarships. Parents are an important component to the success of the participants in the program and we want to make sure you have as much information as possible to contribute to your child’s success. The HSLM coordinator sends are regular updates on how the sessions are going, future session topics and logistics, and if we need any additional assistance or information from parents.
Parent Night will be held on Tuesday, September 13th from 6pm-7pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Youth participants are welcome to attend with their parent/guardian.
HSLM Agenda
Social Event: Expectations for students, families and the program
Parent Night will be held on Tuesday, September 13th 2011 from 6pm-7pm. Light refreshments will be provided. Youth participants are welcome to attend with their parent/guardian.
Team Building
Students will participate in and explore group dynamics, public speaking, team building, decision making and leadership concepts. Participants will also examine their own attitudes and experiences that make up a community. The Youth Advisory Committee will be discussed and themes for our class will be developed.
Natural Resources / Environment
Heard the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally?” This session focuses on the environmental issues affecting the world and our community. Students will learn about the environmental assets of the region and how they may be directly tied to our quality of life.
Culture
Students will explore our uniquely diverse, culturally rich community and reflect our past and future. Participants will gain a glimpse of the cuture and arts that characterize our region and be asked what “Culture” means to you?
Business & Economics
What moves us and shakes us? This session explores the business and economics of our region. Students may visit with business leaders to discuss topics such as starting and owning a business, women and minorities in business, chosing a career path, attracting new industry and other economic develpment issues and concerns.
Health and Human Service
How do we, as a community, address the health and welfare of our citizens? What services are available locally and what is lacking in our rural region of the state. Students will discuss the issues facing our citizens and visit with community members who work in a variety of health and human service fields.
Criminal Justice
An in-depth review of the justice system and juvenile crime and how laws are made and carried out. Additionally, the session focuses on how city, county and state governments operate. The students will explore current issues and future trends and lawmaking. From the time a crime is committed until the criminal “serves time,” you will see how our finest get the job done in law enforcement and the judical system.
Communication/Arts/Media
Students get a first-hand look at the artistic and cultural diversity of our community. What characteristics make the area worthwhile and attractive? Then you’ll get to see how the people who make the news get into the newspapers and newscasts of the local media and how media affects us.
Government
Who calls the shots in your town? You get to meet, face-to-face, the people who make the rules and run your government. Students will learn to participate in and run meetings and how a democratic systems operates.
Quality of Life
What is “Quality of Life?” How would you define it and what steps can you take to achieve it? This program will explore the tangible and intangible ingredients of building a “quality” future.
HSLM Schedule
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 – Parent Night from 6-7pm – Location TBD
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 – Retreat (4:30pm – 8:30pm) – Dolores Community Center
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 – Retreat (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Dolores Community Center
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – Session One (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 – Session Two (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – Session Three (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – Session Four (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 – Session Five (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – Session Six (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, April 12, 2012 – Session Seven (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church
Tuesday, May 10, 2012 – Session Eight (8:30am – 3:00pm) – Cortez Methodist Church