“Student Government Association (SGA) Retreat”
Recognizing the need to equip our young leaders with the skills and confidence to lead effectively, BRES organized a half-day leadership retreat at the county Board of Education building, where students could experience a professional setting and gain insights from established leaders. The goal was to help students understand the value of their elected positions and their responsibility to represent their peers. Students were encouraged to network with adults and peers, stepping outside their comfort zones to build meaningful connections. Each student received a leadership notebook to jot down key takeaways after every speaker and activity.
The retreat featured presentations from a school board member, a school counselor, and the district’s deputy superintendent, who shared their perspectives on leadership. Students also participated in a hands-on team-building activity to strengthen collaboration and team-building skills. Additionally, they began drafting a mission and vision statement for the SGA, laying the foundation for their leadership work moving forward. At the conclusion of the retreat, students completed a reflection activity and leadership assessment survey. They identified the leadership qualities they found most important and assessed their own strengths and areas for growth as leaders. This retreat provided and meaningful and immersive experience, empowering the students to step into their roles with confidence and purpose. The student feedback revealed valuable insights that have shaped BRES’ monthly leadership meetings. They have used this data to structure the meetings, focusing on one leadership quality at a time to help students improve in specific areas. This approach has helped build a stronger, more self-aware group of student leaders.
