Six NDA sophomores graduated from the Greater Green Bay Teen Leadership Program. Charlie Gerstner, Cassie Garrison, Mia Miller, Frannie Wied, Amelia Chrudimsky and Lucy Lawton were the six sophomores chosen for the selective program. Students must apply every spring/summer through an online application. 

“I wanted to apply for the program because it seemed like a great way to learn about people in our community, and what they’ve done to help out Green Bay,” said Miller on what inspired her to apply. 

High school sophomores from schools around Brown County are selecte and work together over a school year to become better leaders in the Greater Green Bay area. 

“There are so many small opportunities for leadership around you, and this experience has taught me to recognize those opportunities for leadership in my daily life and to take advantage of them,” said Chrudimsky. 

The mission of the program is to build and strengthen emerging young leaders with skills and knowledge that will help foster positive change in the Greater Green Bay area. Students had the opportunity to meet like-minded peers from around the area, and this was one of the favorite aspects of the program. 

“What I enjoyed most about the meetings was getting to know people from all over Green Bay that I might not have met if it weren’t for the program,” said Garrison. 

There are monthly leadership session days held at various locations throughout Greater Green Bay. Students have the opportunity to listen to different guest speakers from around the area, who serve as leaders for all. From CEO’s to newly established entrepreneurs, there was a lesson to learn from everyone. 

“I liked that they brought in many different speakers from the community who shared their experiences and perspectives,” said Garrison

During the duration of the program, students are broken up into groups and must complete a service project that somehow benefits the community. They have complete freedom of their project and can choose any interest area. The goal of the project is to give students experience working with one another, along with organizations, charities and businesses. They must demonstrate skills involving leadership, communication and professionalism, and this project is a way to put these practices into action. 

Lawton’s project was making baked goods and delivering them to St. Vincent’s Hospital and the fire station. The employees were thankful for their generosity. 

“The people working were very thankful and told us how it did not happen very often. We left feeling very accomplished of our goal to do something small, but positive in the community,” said Lawton. Her biggest takeaway was learning the skills of how to be a leader in any situation, big or small, and how to divide work up within a group based on different personality types. 

The sophomores all had similar takeaways from the program. They learned how you can be a leader in any situation, and how to best work with a group of people that all have different personalities, so that everyone can thrive. 

“Businesses, people and organizations in Green Bay want to help the community. I was so scared the first time I had to call a business to ask for a favor for our organization, but being able to realize the passion that leaders have in Green Bay for helping the community has helped me grow confidence and trust in the community,” said Miller. 

All six sophomores said they would recommend the program to anyone considering applying. It gives students skills on how to collaborate with others, problem solving, time management and communication. 

“I recommend this program for anybody and everybody; it will develop your mind and give you perspective and skills that can be used, not only in everyday life, but to put towards a project or goal as well,” said Gerstner.