LeaderKids class of 2016-17 with special guest former Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr
By Ayesha Ganguly, program coordinator for LeaderKids
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Each May, a group of 50 Fort Worth ISD eighth-graders who are members of LeaderKids perform community service projects. LeaderKids, a program of Leadership Fort Worth, began in 1995 as a leadership class project. To date, nearly 1,000 students have completed the program, which offers well-rounded opportunities and experiences to help shape future leaders.
These budding student leaders plan and execute community projects alongside volunteer artists, construction workers and other community partners. The students work with adult leaders to direct every aspect of the project, from original design to budgeting for materials. The students also do the actual painting and construction work as their final meeting of the year.
This year’s theme was “Leaders are Readers” in support of of the Fort Worth ISD’s goal of ensuring that 100 percent of third-graders are reading on grade level by 2025.
LeaderKids built reading nooks at Maude Logan Elementary School and beautified the campus.
Past projects have included an outdoor learning center at Maudrie Walton Elementary School, a playground at Dolores Huerta Elementary School and public art installations in the South Main Urban Village.
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LeaderKids project at Maude Logan Elementary School
These unique opportunities prepare our future leaders to define ideas, work as a team and take responsibility. This year’s project supports the transition of Maude Logan Elementary School into a Leadership Academy this fall with extended hours, highly-effective teachers and principals, enhanced after-school programming and other supports to create a joyful, positive culture.
The Fort Worth Literacy Partnership supported an analysis that helped lay the foundation for the Leadership Academies.
LeaderKids partners with TCU’s Student Leadership Center, Fidelity Investments volunteers, Fort Worth ISD’s departments of Visual Arts, Strategic Partnership and Landscaping, and with numerous individuals and organizations.
Congratulations to this group of talented students for making a great contribution to our community!