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Only 50 students from the state of Pennsylvania are accepted to attend the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) Advanced Gold Leadership Training Seminar, July 16-22 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and two students were chosen from Villa Maria Academy.   Jackie Yakish and Kerry Hersch, who are Student Council President and Vice President respectively, will represent Villa and Erie at this prestigious workshop.  “Many students spend their summer vacation at the beach, but we are proud that two of our students were selected to attend these seminars to make them better leaders in our school and in our community,” said Geri Cicchetti, president of VMA. 

In addition, Aniko Walker, who is an English teacher and Student Council Advisor from VMA, will be attending the conference as a staff member at the seminar.  “This will be Aniko’s 14th year at the conference, which demonstrates our faculty’s interest in teaching leadership skills beyond the classroom” Cicchetti added.  “Last year, she received the Linda Greb Recognition Award for her dedication and commitment to the PASC.”

As delegates, Yakish and Hersch will engage in sessions on idea sharing, ethics and principles of leadership, conflict resolution, stress management, cultural diversity, advanced meeting skills and public speaking.  ”I am looking forward to meeting other student leaders from Pennsylvania,” said Yakish.  “We can share ideas on how to make things happen at our schools.”

As a staff member at the conference, Walker will lead a workshop on cultural diversity entitled “Breaking Down the Barriers” by using a cultural diversity simulation developed by Stanford University. Breakout sessions will allow students to discuss and solve issues in their schools.  “The goal is to increase their sensitivity to others needs,” said Walker.  “Students will know what it feels like not to understand the language or the cultural differences.   We challenge them to make a difference.  I want them to be a source of change not only in their schools but in the world.” 
 
The Villa students will put their skills to work Aug. 2nd when they will host the Freshmen Leadership Skills Workshop at Villa. The sessions cover time management, communication stills, active listening, team building, tolerance, and school spirit, and is required for freshmen planning to take on leadership roles at VMA. “Our motivation is to alleviate their concerns or anxiety on making the transition from grade school to high school,” stated VMA principal Sr. Mary Drexler.

Members of the media are invited to the leadership training in action on the Villa campus on Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Workshops are held in the VMA Library beginning at 9 a.m.  Refreshments will be served at 11 a.m. and the school spirit session will be held on front lawn at 11:30 a.m. 

Villa Maria Academy is a Catholic, co-educational, secondary school established to further the mission on unity of the Sisters of St.  Joseph.  Through our leadership, environment and programs, we empower young people to recognize their God-given uniqueness and talents, to acquire knowledge and skills for success in a global society, and to engage the future with optimism, generosity and confidence.