EXCEL . . . the focus of Leadership

By: Caryssa Therese Versoza

Editor-in-chief

Last July 3, 2010, Saturday, all Student Council Officers and Class officers were gladly invited to attend a Leadership Training Seminar Workshop inspired by the theme of “Empowered, Extraordinary, Conscientious and Effective Leaders” (EXCEL) which reinforced Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders. The seminar was filled with fun and action-packed activities that helped us young leaders create a more effective team. Throughout the seminar, activities were arranged to help participants apply what they have learned. They also had valuable opportunities to help themselves learn from one another.

What is a leader? Several important aspects of leadership including a complex description of what leadership is and a description of several popular theories, researches, observations and styles of leadership are being set to explain. A leader is simply someone who shows and guides others toward a certain goal by setting a good example and by making an interactive environment for all to feel involved in the whole process of performing a certain task. A good leader does not reflect as the dictator or boss of a team. Instead, he or she is committed to carry out the purpose of the action. Therefore, it always takes two or more to generate and improve an idea. It is one’s job to readily accept others’ constructive criticisms and to make sure that everyone is heard. As a leader, it is important to stay on track for others to keep on their own tracks; the team should always stay more and more productive, organized and motivated. Availability is another key factor. Leaders find time to have an open communication with the team to keep away from being misunderstood. GOOD COMMUNICATION can help in making your teammates realize their responsibility and help each one to be cognizant about one’s interest and strengths. Confidence is the most important element within a leader. If you don’t believe in the success of your tasks, then who else will?

In the leadership training, I really enjoyed every bit of it and learned lessons to live by. We, the participants, took part in each activity. Mind-boggling obstacle courses aren’t easy to tackle but by cooperation and the dash of helpful ideas, each team experienced sweet success. I experienced a few misunderstandings, clashes of idea and carried unsuccessful plans as we tried to apply the concepts into actuality. The training teaches me to be more understanding, patient with what I am doing and to listen intently to other’s point of view. Each of us frequently reminds each other that whatever happens, win or lose, we must put our best foot forward. To recapitulate the 7 Habits of a highly effective individual and after all the rigors of the activity, I came up to a realization that being a good leader is not measured by the physical strength of an individual but by the inner strength of one’s heart and mind. In every way, this will be my guide to my future venture, I will never be afraid to fail because it’s a step forward in the emergence of a real leader in me.

By: Jodimarie Lloyd Tio

Headline Writer

Student involvement in school life is a must. The goal of the school is to help students become active members of society and better citizens is realized through the Student Council. The Student Council organization provides students with the avenue to showcase their leadership qualities and organizational skills to initiate projects vital for the good of the student body.

The Supreme Student Council is a group of students given the task of looking after the programs and actions of the students. They have already begun to think of programs and activities for our benefit and enjoyment. They create these activities and agendas to help the school administration as well. They dream of fundraising activities to help us raise money for improved recreational materials, as well as student development programs.

In our first Student Council meeting, the Council invited 2 representatives from the Grades 1 up to 3^rd year high school to serve as messengers to the rest of their class. They discussed the different agendas of the Student Council and the first order of business was fundraising activities. Effective this August 2010, the Grades 4 students will be having their own fundraising activity for two weeks followed by the Grade 5 students and so on. Each class will surprise us with their own ideas for fundraising. They are also taking into consideration what we can do for the earth while earning funds too. We will again be having the bottle and newspaper drive and a prize will be given to the class that raises the most bottles and newspapers. Another activity we will soon be implementing is the coin bank. Each student will have their own coin bank. Whatever they have put in each of their coin banks will be donated to the SSC. This will be voluntary, of course.

Fundraising isn’t the only thing on the minds of our officers. We will also be having fun and exciting endeavors meant for the students. One example would be the Teenpreneur Challenge, to be held this October 2010. The Teenpreneur Challenge is a competition wherein the students will advertise and sell their own product. Parents, relatives and other outsiders will be welcomed on this day. The students will not only be looking forward to the challenge, but also to the other events that will happen later that day. When the booths will closed down and the sun has set, out come our instruments because it’s time to flaunt the Linkers’ true potentials in music. School Year 2010-2011 is full of new things, and one of them would be the Music Jam 2010 will also be a face – off, a so called “battle of the bands”, what more thrill could there be?

This year’s Student Council will truly pave the way for better activities, not only for this school year but for the next school year’s to come. With the words of our newly elected Council president Fadhli Bhatkal, “Linkers are eXtraordinary students”. Let’s make it so.

By: Athina Marcine Olan

Feature Writer

English Week is a weeklong celebration of having the talents and potentials of the students in the area of the English language. The activities included the poem recitation contest for the Grades 1 and 2, the storytelling contest for the Grades 3 and 4, the declamation contest for the Grades 5 and 6 and the oration contest for the High School students.

One of the things I learned this week was that experience is the best teacher. I realized that I was privileged because I was one of the contestants for the oration contest.

So there I was, in my modern dancing costume, standing on the stage with the microphone in my hands. I felt that it was me against the whole crowd. I was getting superfluous butterflies. How did I know? My hands were rickety, wobbly and I felt like my legs would fall down anytime. No, it was not comforting being on stage. Anyway, I continued with my piece. I missed some words but laughed it off at the end. I believe, I felt like I did it but one can never gauge how nervous one can be because each contestant tried to be composed.

I knew I was not going to be victorious. Little did I know, I ended up as the third. But hey, it is all right. I was contented. Because whether my performance was drop-dead-amazing or thwarting, I know I gave it my all. It’s all that matters. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I will discontinue trying. There are things that I will not do, there are things that I should not do, but there is nothing that I cannot do.

Just like what was stated in my oratorical piece:” If I persist long enough, I will win. I will persist, I will win.”

By: Mrs. Giselle Lam

Kindergarten 1 parent

What do we know about parenting? Perhaps a good seminar can help me put the puzzle into places.  When I heard about the news that the school is organizing a seminar about Parenting by Francis Kong, I got excited right away and inquired about the tickets.

In the seminar, Mr. Francis Kong emphasized the value of being a good parent. To be a good parent, one should assume a great responsibility but being a parent is very rewarding. Every parent feels the fulfillment of being one when our child loves us and adores us. Being a good parent means taking time to know your child, to watch, to listen, to observe, and to see the little progress they have everyday. We should be in tune with our child and the only way we can do that is to spend time with them. By all means, being a good parent means guiding, nurturing and loving our child unconditionally.

Mr. Kong will further expound on the values young individuals could, would and should posses in order to achieve excellence not only in school but also on its day to day living. Among the things he will discuss are the ways of cultivating a sense of awareness, self worth, integrity and discipline to student-parent and husband-wife relationships.

Francis J. Kong is the Founding member and Director of Inspire Leadership                                                           Consultancy, the President of Success Options Publishing Company.  He is the                                            main speaker for Achievers and Leaders Seminars organized by Salt and Light                                           Ventures. He is co-recipient of the Anvil Award for Excellence for the staging of                                        the Dr. John Maxwell Leadership Seminar Series, a recipient of the Year 2006 Gold                                           Quill Philippines Award of merit for Public Speech category and also a recipient of                                              2008 Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Excellence in the field of Journalism.  Averaging                                             some 300 or more talks in a year, Francis holds the distinction of speaking together                                         with Dr. John Maxwell in the country’s largest single learning event held at the                                                Araneta Coliseum.  Francis has been trained by Maximum Impact of Atlanta                                                  Georgia and is now a licensed and accredited trainer for world leading programs like: Developing the Leader Within You; 360 Degree Leader & High Trust Selling.  As a writer, Francis has authored 13 books – many of which are now being used as training and reference materials in many business corporations.

WHO should attend:  This seminar is for students, parents, educators,

professionals and others from all walks of life

who aim to learn the differences of a man and a

woman in disciplining kids.

WHERE & WHEN: The seminar will be held in ECOTECH PAVILION,

Sudlon Lahug, Cebu City on July 10, 2010, Saturday

from 1:00 PM to 5:00PM

SEMINAR FEE: P150 each inclusive of snacks and certificate for all CLC

parents and parent representatives.

P250 per person inclusive of snacks and certificate

for other interested parties.