Chess, handshakes and poetry build leaders at Lange Middle
Sunday, October 10, 2010 3:13 p.m. CDT
BY Kellie Kotraba
COLUMBIA — A firm handshake? The boy had no idea what his teacher was talking about. He had never had to give a firm handshake before. But by the end of two weeks, he had developed a skill to take with him into manhood.
He also learned how to tie a necktie, and he refined his chess skills. He learned about respect and responsibility. He learned to trust.
Roger White, 12, learned to be a leader.
Roger and 13 other boys attended Lange Leadership Academy for Young Men, a two-week leadership course, as part of the summer school program at Lange Middle School. Although the class ended in August, the boys’ growth did not; they continue to develop their skills as the school year progresses.
Bernard Solomon, principal of Lange, and Arnulfo Peat, administrative support, created the program to help young men who were not using their strong potential. They asked teachers to recommend students, and each student went through an interview process.
“We are trying to make a positive difference in some young men’s lives,” Solomon said.
Here is the full article.
Kudos to them.