Nebo district student captains learn leadership skills

r Nebo School District held its Captains Academy recently on leadership and sportsmanship. Captains Academy is held three times each year and includes captains from junior high and high school organizations within the district. The winter Captains Academy includes boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, wrestling, boys’ swimming, girls’ swimming, drill team, debate and band.

Nebo School District School Services Coordinator Troy Bohling said, “The Captains Academy is one of the most powerful venues we have for students in leadership positions. In the academy, students are provided the opportunity to meet with their peers who are also leaders in the same activities, discuss and plan regarding how to lift others via sportsmanship and leadership principles, and collaborate with one another to address shared challenges. The feedback we get from the captains is that they are learning valuable lessons that will help them to lead not only now but in their lives after graduation.”

Bohling started the academy by welcoming student leaders from 12 schools from across Nebo School District.

During the academy, the student captains sit at individual tables with their peers from other junior high and high schools. They listen to each presentation and then work collaboratively to present back to the entire group their position and ideas.

Springville High School Principal and former Nebo District Athletic Director Everett Kelepolo gave a presentation about competitive athletics, focusing on being kind and looking for the good in opponents. This type of thinking specifically helps athletes compete without losing focus on what really matters – relationships.

Payson High School Athletic Director Brian Argyle led a discussion with all the captains about sportsmanship and how the captains can impact other students on their teams. The captains had time to respond and share their ideas with the entire group.

Crystal Nye, a Hall of Fame athlete at Weber State University, spoke on leadership with a specific focus on the need for captains to lead in the way that is most effective for their individual talents. Some captains may lead vocally and others by action. Both styles add value to athletic teams and activity groups, she said.

Salem Hills High School Athletic Director Lee Gillie facilitated the Captain’s Council regarding the leadership principles shared by Nye, enabling the captains at each table to collaborate and recognize the importance of setting goals using their own leadership style.