Granting the wish of a sick child, addressing diversity at school or sexual assault on college campuses, raising awareness of homelessness, supporting veterans — these are just some of the ways the 49 students in the Class of 2017 gave back to the community through this year’s program. The students completed seven community service projects, which they created after becoming familiar with the needs of the community.
Team Wish
The goal of Team Wish was to grant a wish for a child in Howard County through the Make-A-Wish foundation and to raise awareness of its mission to those children who are waiting for wishes in Howard County. The team organized a Wish Week that included a restaurant night, bake sale, social media online donation campaign and fundraising at a county high school football game.
Beyond the Stereotype
Beyond the Stereotype created student-led conversations surrounding the issue of cultural insensitivities and diversity. The team utilized social media to celebrate the multicultural nature of Howard County. The Beyond the Stereotype team created the #beyondthestereotype and Twitter and Instagram accounts @hocobeyond to spread its message.
Speak Love HoCo
Speak Love HoCo teamed with HopeWorks to raise awareness for sexual assault on today’s college campuses. The team hosted the screening of “The Hunting Ground,” a documentary on sexual assault on college campuses. Speak Love HoCo also facilitated a discussion with both parents and students on the impact of the film.
Hospital Helpers
Hospital Helpers organized a Sunday morning breakfast at Howard County General Hospital for the Emergency Department to show their appreciation for their staff. The team also brought notes of thanks and encouragement to share with all staff members.
We LUVeterans
We LUVeterans implemented a pilot program at Howard High School to show appreciation for veterans in Howard County. This pilot may be followed by other high schools for future veterans programs. Throughout the week, the students also collected donations for homeless veterans’ everyday needs for the McVets facility to distribute to those in need.
“The Leadership U program really empowers students to learn by doing,” said Meg Ignacio, Leadership U director. “The students learn the value of teamwork and project organization that goes beyond just learning about a subject area. By developing projects that affect them and their peers in the community, they gain a sense of accomplishment and learn they have the ability to really make a positive difference.”
Leadership U Class of 2017
Gabrielle Aidam
Long Reach
Julian Basena
Long Reach
Malina Beideman
Mount de Sales Academy
Veronica Cagle
Centennial
Corey Cooke
Wilde Lake
Taylor Currie
Glenelg
Lilly DeCelles
Atholton
Matthew Demme
Centennial
Annabelle Gao
Marriotts Ridge
Kaia Godsey
Mt. Hebron
Harun Gopal
Centennial
Juliana Gorman
Notre Dame Preparatory
Timothy Goulet
Howard
Maeve Hall
Notre Dame Preparatory
Lola Hankins
Mt. Hebron
Grace Hendricks
Mt. Hebron
Jeremy Jablonover
River Hill
Cassie Jeng
River Hill
Kevin Johnson
Glenelg
Tyrone Jones
Hammond
Anish Kasimsetty
Glenelg Country School
Samuel Levitt
Oakland Mills
Hassan Malik
Glenelg
Grace Mardock
Howard
Christian Maric
Atholton
Marc Marshall
Wilde Lake
Hassaan Mastoor
Marriotts Ridge
Eliza Munns
Mt. Hebron
Faith Ngundi
Howard
Sonia Patel
River Hill
Rahel Petros
Atholton
Daniel Quinter
Hammond
Trevor Romaine
Reservoir
Hamzah Rushdan
Glenelg Country School
Victorea Sangvic
Atholton
Eric Schneider
Wilde Lake
Renee Seetoo
The Excelsior Academy
Telly Smith
Mt. Hebron
Campbell Snoddy
Atholton
John Spurrier
River Hill
Kathryn Spurrier
River Hill
Alexander Strawley
Howard
Grace Virden
Marriotts Ridge
Autumn Weinig
Wilde Lake
Natalie Willard
Centennial
Emmett A. Woods-Gresham
Wilde Lake
Hamzah Yousuf
Mt. Hebron
Eric Zhu
Marriotts Ridge
Jessica Zinderman
Atholton