On Aug. 18 from 8 a.m. to noon, student leaders across multiple clubs and organizations gathered in the Commons for Del Val’s fourth consecutive summer Leadership Summit.

The Summit, hosted by Principal Michael Kays, is open to incoming freshmen through seniors. It is a chance for Del Val’s current and future student leaders to discuss leadership and school events and to bond.

The meeting began with a conversation led by Kays and Supervisor of Social Studies and Language James Kluska.

Following the discussion, students were tasked with brainstorming ideas to maintain consistent member involvement throughout the duration of the school year.

“One thing I learned from the Leadership Summit is that involvement is very important as a leader,” junior Kairi Lambert said. “You’re supposed to delegate responsibility and not abandon your actions.”

After a 15 minute break, the students entered breakout sessions, based upon grade level and the extracurricular groups they were involved in.

The freshmen and sophomores focused on the foundations of leadership, led by Supervisor of Special Projects, College, Careers & Assessment Kristina Sterbenc and Future Business Leaders of America adviser Joseph Perricone. For the juniors and seniors, Kluska and The Delphi adviser Brian Smith led a session about leading with impact.

The junior and senior student representatives of the Board of Education, Nathan Kries and Ella Genovese respectively, attended their own breakout session. Here, they discussed plans for the year with Kays and Student Council adviser Kari Gursky.

When breakout sessions concluded, everyone gathered back in the Commons for a general meeting led by Kries and Genovese to begin planning Homecoming, discuss the Terrier Class Cup prizes, and practice the leadership skills they just learned.

To conclude the day, Kluska and Athletics Supervisor Lance Jacobs had students participate in a series of team-building games in the Gold Gym. These included Bear-Salmon-Mosquito, a tag game; passing a hula-hoop without unlinking their hands; and crossing the gym floor with only two mats, a hula hoop and challenging conditions. In these games, students were not only able to develop new connections but also apply their leadership skills.

Overall, the meeting was a success and the student leaders are now ready to begin the year. The group will continue to meet to discuss new events that pertain to their clubs and the rest of Del Val.

“It helped me to see into the window of other people’s lives and have empathy for if they’re busy and what they’re doing because it feels like sometimes, people are very responsible for a lot of things,” Kathryn Giles, a Thespian and Tri M historian, said. “It helped me to realize I need to step up sometimes.”