After its first six months, the Georgia Possible leadership development program has seen positive results in its students.
Since the program started in September 2018, selected students from around the Clarke County School District have participated in experiences that impact their "academic and social trajectory," according to Clarke County Superintendent Demond Means.
“The impact has gone well beyond the selected students in the Georgia Possible program as these students have served as exemplary role models for their peers.”
Sessions vary from trips to The University of Georgia campus to group work in classrooms on the importance of setting goals. Students brought their progress reports from fall semester, then set goals to reach before the next progress report.
Students involved in Georgia Possible said they're starting to notice a change, even in the first few months.
Jennifer Catalan of Cedar Shoals said, "I want to be able to plan what I do in my life. I still haven’t found exactly what I want to do, but this is a good opportunity to help set my goals.”
Another noted the importance of learning decision-making and setting an example; Enock Maganda said, "A lot of the things they repeat – like ‘be good in the classroom’ and ‘set an example’— I think those things are important this day and age."
"If we don’t do those things, the younger generation is not going to have anyone to look up to and they’re going to make the wrong decisions. We don’t want that for the future."
Students selected to be in the program were nominated by their school's principal based on factors like personal drive, attitude and demonstration of leadership potential.
Sessions are taught by experts at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach.
“We want to develop leadership skills in these students such that they know anything is possible,” said Fanning Institute Director Matt Bishop.