Youth Leadership Course graduates from Sept. 5 were, from left, Shelia Miller, Lila Montero, Chloe Kent, Gianna Salisbury, Kody Wilson and Cameron Wilson.
Suzann Gilliland Peterson
During the week of Sept. 4, High Desert Grange graduated two classes of students from the Youth Leadership Course.
Youth ages 11 to 13 received their Certificates of Completion on Sep. 5; those ages 14 to 18 received their certificates on Sept. 7.
The Youth Leadership Course is designed to improve upon communication and leadership skills students already possess and to teach new skills to help them succeed in future endeavors they undertake. The course is eight weeks.
Topics include preparing an effective speech, organizing thoughts, listening techniques, voice and vocabulary, the art of gestures in speaking, speech evaluation, and how to succeed in impromptu speaking. Students are introduced to Parliamentary procedure. Officers and other roles are chosen by the students which allow the students to conduct their meetings.
Introducing youth to the art of public speaking results in graduates who have the knowledge to prepare and execute a speech before an audience of one or many, contribute ideas during meetings using Parliamentary procedure rules and take on positions of leadership within a group setting.
Impromptu speaking aids the student as they apply for employment or a volunteer position, or seek to impress someone of importance. Greater self-confidence is a natural outcome of the class, as is a desire to demonstrate what they have learned. The course and materials are free. Each student receives a workbook that they can utilize when preparing future speeches or assuming future leadership roles.
This course is open to Grange members only. For information about this program or about the Grange, visit the High Desert Grange at http://www.grange.org/highdesertnv22/ or contact Gloria Montero at 775-427-8210.
High Desert Grange is currently preparing a program to address the job application process: creating a resume, how to complete a job application, how to conduct oneself during an interview, and more. When the program details are complete, information will be publicly available.