High school students from across the state learned what it means to be a leader Saturday at the second annual Flagship Showcase, hosted by Student Government and Freshman Leadership Council.
Just under 100 high school students from about 20 high schools attended multiple leadership development sessions to discover why they lead, how to handle conflict and how to transition from high school to college, according to Alli Robison, SG director of First Year Experience.
“Knowing that conflict in high school is a lot different from conflict in college [is important],” Robison said. “Change is inevitable in that sense, from high school to college.”
Denham Springs High School sophomore Bryce Richard said he learned a lot about leadership to bring back to his school.
“Leadership isn’t just a role. It’s not for yourself,” he said. “You take a leadership role to help others.”
LSU Ambassadors also gave the students a tour. Logansport High School junior Macie Mosley said the tour was her favorite part of the day.
“I liked the campus tour because we got to walk around and see everything,” she said.
Mosley said she especially enjoyed seeing Mike the Tiger and the echo circle in Free Speech Plaza.
Each high school group was accompanied by an adviser, who attended adviser sessions while the students participated in leadership sessions.
Angela Raymond, sponsor of Logansport High School’s Student Government, said the tour eased her students’ fears of coming to a campus as large as the University.
“They’re now feeling better supported now that they know more about campus,” she said. “They’re more reassured. Coming from a small town, those are some fears you have with a campus this size.”
Raymond said she learned techniques in her sessions to calm parents’ nerves about sending their students to the University.
Denham Springs High School sophomore Carmen Coon said she will now begin to consider the University among her college choices.
“I really liked talking to the people who actually go to school here to get a first-person perspective,” she said. “I really like this school. It’s got a bunch of things to offer.”
The high school students were broken into small groups and decided on a group name and chant.
Bryce Simon, a kinesiology freshman who was wearing a T-shirt adorned with exotic animals, was one of the leaders of the “Zoo Crew.”
“[My] favorite thing to do today was interacting with the group,” he said. “It was fun to see their reaction … to make the transition from high school to college.”
Joaquin (Texas) High School junior Cody Causey said the retreat influenced his decision about where to attend college.
“The people are just so friendly. It feels like somewhere I’d fit in. I’m relaxed,” he said.
No student fees were spent on the Flagship Showcase since LSU Dining has sponsored the event every year, according to Robison.
 
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Contact Danielle Kelley at [email protected]