Students take on leadership roles

MT. PLEASANT — Staff, family, friends and community members gathered in Mt. Pleasant Community High School Media Center Tuesday evening to celebrate 14 newly elected iJAG student leaders.

Over the last several weeks, students worked in groups to either run for an office on their iJAG leadership team or support someone running.

They created posters and videos and told their fellow iJAG classmates why they should vote for them for the offices of president, leadership development, career development, social awareness, community service, civic responsibility, and secretary.

After conducting an election with their peers, Wyatt Nicholson was elected as the underclassman president and Audrey Mertens was elected as president for the upperclassmen iJAG program.

Nicholson will serve on the leadership team alongside Vice President of Leadership Development Kiyah Sanders, Vice President of Career Development Blasia Lewis, Vice President of Social Awareness Isabella Gonzalez, Vice President of Community Service Ashley Davis, Vice President of Civic Responsibility Lexi Murphy, and Secretary Zatori Williams.

Mertens will serve with Vice President of Leadership Development Lukus Sanderson, Vice President of Career Development Landon Wigington, Vice President of Social Awareness Daniel Garcia, Vice President of Civic Awareness Montanna Hazelwood, Vice President of Community Service Sandra Davis, and Secretary Treyvin Allen.

During a keynote address from Former State Representative Joe Mitchell, he thanked the Superintendent John Henriksen and the school board for taking the leap and adding iJAG to MPCSD before directly addressing the newly elected student leaders for MPHS iJAG.

“Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to have a title,” Mitchell told the students. “I think a lot of time at your guys’ age we think that to be a leader we have to have some kind of a special title, but that’s not the case. You can be a leader every day of your life.”

“You guys that were blessed by your classmates to be voted in, you guys have responsibilities,” he said. “They entrusted you to be able to lead whether that is civic engagement or development or president, you guys want to be able to live up to those expectations that they gave you and you want to be able to be held accountable.”

Mitchell encouraged the team members to delegate and practice servant leadership instead of simply bossing people around.

After being sworn in, Presidents Nicholson and Mertens briefly addressed the room full of people.

According to Merten, as a junior this is her first year in the iJAG program, but she feels that the program is “amazing to be a part of and the support of iJAG is second to none.”

“I am honor to be elected at the nine-10 iJAG president,” Nicholson said. “I’m grateful for everyone’s support and I already have plans in motion.”

Nicholson began work during his campaign to contact representatives seeking to raise the amount of hours that students are allowed to work and he hopes to continue this work and service his classmates in other ways.

One vice president from each category took time to describe their positions.

“Basically what we’re going to be doing in leadership is filling in for the president when they’re absent or just can’t do their part,” Upperclassmen Leadership VP Sanderson said. “We’re going to be organizing plans with guest speakers and fundraisers.”

VP of Career Development Wigington explained that his position will consist of helping students prepare for their futures, go on tours and field trips, have guest speakers come in, and help students prepare job shadows.

Community Service VP Sandra Davis said that she and her sister, who is the underclassman VP for community service, will organize different ways for students in the program to participate in community service locally.

“Positive impact on the community essentially is our goal,” Davis said.

VP of Social Engagement Gonzalez said her position will focus of bringing awareness to what iJAG is and what they do.

Secretary Willaims said she will keep track of information for the leadership team and VP of Civic Development Murphy explained civic awareness as informing others of important legislation and civic impacts on herself and her peers.

As the program wrapped up, 10-11 grade iJAG Specialist Holly Frary expressed how proud she is of each of the students before swearing them in.

“Please stand and raise your right hand and repeat after me,” Frary directed the leadership team.

“I solemnly pledge that I will carry out all of the duties and responsibilities of membership in the iJAG career association,” she led them. “I understand and accept the purpose of this organization and will conduct myself appropriately and maintain high standards in my personal and business activities.”

Beki Hoyle, ninth-10th grade specialist, then instructed the students to sign their agreement with participation in leadership, accept certificates, and receive a lanyard commemorating their accomplishments.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com