The sixth annual GOLD (Girls Only Leadership
Development) and BOLD (Boys Only Leadership Development) days were held on
Saturday, March 29th, and Saturday, April 5th,
respectively. On these days, fourth and fifth grade girls and boys from Cambria
and Jackson Elementary gathered at Jackson Elementary School and participated
in a variety of activities.
The various activities touched upon the topics of
leadership, wildlife conservation, team building, drug awareness, and being
unique. Area volunteers assisted in conveying the messages to the students.
Sergeant 1st Class Goughnour and 1st Sergeant Bruno
discussed leadership and how it is important to share ideas and help others to
reach a common goal. Seth Mesoras and Mike Nelson, Wildlife Conservation Officers,
shared a variety of animal pelts and talked about how students can help with
animal conservation simply by following the rules of the game commission. St.
Francis athletes, from both men’s and women’s teams, promoted teamwork and
showed the positive results of working as a team through hands-on activities.
Brittany Foreman and Brenda McDevitt, AmeriCorps
members at Jackson Elementary, organized the events. They would like to thank
all of the following volunteers that helped to make the retreats a success:
Alisha Beamer, Blacklick Valley AmeriCorps; Brianna Gillin, CCMS AmeriCorps;
Lindsey Overdorff, Greater Johnstown AmeriCorps; and Shannon Gironda, guidance
counselor intern. They also want to thank the following high school volunteers
who kindly gave up their Saturdays to help out: Krista Ream, Tori Shaffer,
Aubrey Brown, Molly Pilcher, Tia Bodenschatz, Kaitlyn Long, Taylor Mazzerella,
Adrianne Kuhar, TJ Adams, Brody Lawerence, and Tommy Opdenhoff. Lastly,
Brittany and Brenda would like to thank Mrs. Murin, Mrs. Mesoras, and Dr. DiLeo
for their cooperation in putting these events together.
Please follow the link below to view the smilebox to see pictures from
the GOLD and BOLD days.
