Cadet Jashley transferred to the Leadership Academy this fall and has she not only loved it, but she has really soared.  When asked why she thinks she was honored with Cadet of the month she knows.  “I have good grades, I’m respectful and I try to show leadership most of the time.  It’s a great program.”  She toured the school this fall and was shown the Academy and thought she’d try it and it has been a great fit for her.  She takes the bus from Brooklyn Center and appreciates the small class sizes and this premiere program that focuses on leadership, responsibility and teamwork.

“The best part of this program is that it gives kids the leadership.  Grown-ups don’t get to do everything.  And, you get to  guide cadets in what to do sometimes and not have to be mean about it, you’re put in more leadership positions.”

Congratulations, Cadet Jashley, you really exemplify what the Leadership Academy Program is all about.

December Cadet of the month, Khadijah has been part of the JROTC program for a little over a year and she rose to the top of the ranks almost right away.  She takes her role as a student seriously and is using it to set goals and reach them, in the Leadership Academy, with her schoolwork and in her life planning.

“I’m the  S3, in charge of training and operations. I schedule and  plan events and write after action reviews.  I have a lot of responsibility.”  In fact she works so hard, she’s been referred to as a rock star by army leadership.  Not only is Cadet Khadijah showing initiative in the JROTC program, she is also participating in an Internship program here at MTS called City as a School.  “It’s great, I’m working in a dental clinic for my internship. I’m interested in dentistry and in being an entreprenuer.”

When asked about her selection as student of the month, she smiled, “I’m a leader.  I’m a quiet leader.  I have good grades, good behavior and I work hard.”

“I am in this program for the leadership.  There are so many opportunities.  We do great things out in the community and I love the field trips.  This program is a great opportunity for students and JROTC students have higher graduation rates.”

But perhaps the most important thing the General Colin L. Powell Leadership can help you with is learning about your potential.  “The Leadership Academy really gives you an opportunity and the initiative to stand out and teach you about yourself.  It teaches you about your strengths and weaknesses — of yourself and teammates.  It’s a great experience.”

The November Cadet of the Month is Freshman, Kenjin.  Kenjin toured the school this summer and then went on all 3 summerJROTC test drives – Camp Ripley, Base Camp and Iduhapi.  “I got a real sense of what the program was like before I started.”

When school started, Kenjin started to show his strengths and abilities.  He jumped right in and is Cadet Sergeant, a real team leader tasked with taking care of the team.  “Sometimes I have to step in and tell people to do things.”  That kind of leadership is what the General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy encourages.

When asked why he thought he was selected as the Cadet of the month, his response was:  “I do what I say I’ll do, I have a tendency to help people and I keep my grades up.”  And he is right.

The feeling of connection is at the heart of the Leadership Academy.  The JROTC students work together on a number of community projects and events.  “This is a really great program.  I really fit in.  It feels like we’re siblings.  It’s really nice to know that people have your back, and you’ve got theirs.”

Khadijah Allen; Mia Hamid; Danon Walker; Kenjin Capers; Steffany Caceres; Calvin Fackler; Jashley Jorden-King; Keith Addy; Tyler Morgan

The all-day, by invitation seminar was held at St. Thomas University Law School in downtown Minneapolis.

Following a key-note address by local business leader, Julie Gilbert of Wolf Means Business, students broke off into small groups and spent the remainder of the day in peer lead discussions about values, ethics and leadership.

ABOUT the Minnesota Student Leadership Seminar – In its fourth year, MNSLS is an annual interactive one-day seminar for high school students.  Through discussions led by West Point Cadets, peers who are being trained at the premier leadership institution in the country, youth participants begin to uncover their values – the principles that remain important no matter what the circumstance.  It is the premise of the MNSLS that values-based decision making is a core component to effective leadership in all facets of life.  The MNSLS is offered at no cost to participating schools and is made possible through the generous donations of members of the West Point Society of Minnesota and 2010 sponsor, The Pentair Foundation. Please visit www.mnstudentleaders.org for more information on how your school can participate.

• Army Adventure Semi Truck on Monday, November 7th, -and try out some of the army’s latest technology from 9 -3, in the parking lot in front of MTS.
• Diversity Panel and Dedication event on Thursday, November 10th at 1:00 at MTS School auditorium.

Click here to view the General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy cadet of the month!

What does it take to be the General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy Cadet of the Month? “Hard work, volunteer to help and show you’re dedicated,” said Keith, Sophomore and September JROTC Cadet of the Month. And that’s just what he’s done. “I come in early, help with whatever needs to be done. It’s fun to work hard!”

Cadet Keith lives in Maple Grove and commutes by bus and train to the General Colin L. Powell Leadership Academy every school day. He’s wanted to be in JROTC since he was in seventh grade. “I love getting students into formation and doing drills and marching them. It’s great,” Keith said. Watching the more than 60 JROTC students at the Leadership Academy, dressed in their uniforms practice color guard, marching, and preparing for competitions to be led by Keith and other students, it’s easy to see the life-skills and character this program builds in students. Students learn discipline, leadership, teamwork, helping people in the community and so much more.

And beyond that, it’s a remarkable way to get to know fellow students. “ We all come from different backgrounds here. Some of us live in shelters, some are wealthy and we all understand each other. We’re friends. We’re actually like a family.“ Maybe that’s the real power of a High School JROTC program.

Keith is in his first year of JROTC and has already risen to the rank of Cadet Sergeant First Class and he is serving as a platoon seargent leading about 30 other cadets . When asked about some of his goals “It would be a real honor to be a Battalion Leader … and I want to be an officer.”

MAKE IT @ MTS Another Student Making a Future