Extension leadership program a win-win for all

     Organizations all over Monticello are tasked with helping others in their own unique ways.

     Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Jones County is doing some pretty great programs in an effort to empower youth leadership. After all, 4-H is based on giving youth of all ages the opportunity to strive in life.

     Extension is bringing a new leadership program to the seventh graders of Monticello, written and organized by ISU staff. “Ricochet” is known as “an extreme leadership adventure.”

     Throughout the months of January, February and March, Monticello seventh graders will be immersed in a free leadership workshop. The program isn’t about sitting in a classroom all morning and listening to someone lecture about leadership characteristics. It’s about getting the students immersed in what it means to take on leadership roles, providing them with hands-on opportunities, helping them to decide what kind of leader they are.

     Jacki Luckstead from ISU Extension will meet with all of the Monticello seventh graders every Tuesday. So kudos to the teachers who are giving up their classroom time for this leadership program to take shape. Luckstead said partnering with the school on this program helped in securing a generous grant from the Monticello School District Foundation to help financially support the materials needed for Ricochet to be successful.

     At the end of the program in March, Luckstead is hoping to hold a graduation-type program where every seventh grader receives a certificate noting their participation in the leadership program. Taking part in such a program, much like Scouts or Camp Fire, looks great on one’s resume once that time comes.

     Luckstead said what makes Ricochet so successful and stand out on its own is the fact that it uses games and hand-on programming to provide youth with leadership; leadership through experience. The national program has been introduced to youth in grades sixth through eighth all over the country.

     This is such a wonderful opportunity for Monticello youth.

     I see opportunities like this all the time and I remark how when I was these kids’ age, I never knew about or had such programs available, especially at no cost.

     The same can be said about Kirkwood here in Monticello. When I was in high school attending Maquoketa Valley, we didn’t have access to free education at Kirkwood.

     Students in Monticello are exposed to so many great educational tools and opportunities here. Not just from the school system, but from outside sources like Extension, the Monticello Public Library, Scouts, Camp Fire, and so much more. The idea of partnering is a win-win for everyone.