This year, Mount Gilead High School took 22 student-athletes, along with cross country and track coach Lauren Huelsman, to The Ohio State University for the OHSAA Leadership Conference on Oct. 4.

The messages heard at the conference will not only be taken away by the students, but brought home to the different teams they were selected by. Every speaker had insight into what a great leader looks like, and how one should act.

Speaker Coach Sue Ramsey, who has served Ashland University as their Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the past 20 years, stated many time that “A Great Team has Great Teammates”, and this was one of the main points all of the speakers made. Every speaker showed real life examples of what a good leader and teammate looks like, from being a senior and doing freshmen jobs to working through an injury, while being active on the team. Every student that went will have many great things to bring back to his or her team.

The speakers at this years conference were: Mindy Drayer, Allie Clifton (both of whom are reporters, and news hosts), two-time Olympian Brianne McLaughlin, Coach Sherry Winn. Coach Sue Ramsey, Kimberly Lowe McCalla ( the Director of Development, for The Ohio State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion), media specialist Melinda Schnell, and co-founder of Core Trainings Deb Hunt.

Every speaker related their stories to their team, leadership, coaches, self worth, and what a great leader should look like. Kimberly Lowe McCalla told students that how they view themselves is so important it can affect the outcome in their events, positive thinking leads to positive outcomes.

Brianne McLaughlin told students to write down their goals, this will make them real. And Sue Ramsey gave monumental advise to what a leader should do. They should be the first ones in, and the last out, their attitudes should be positive, a smile can make all the difference, and a good leader works hard and takes initiative.

There was so much more that the students learned and heard about, but every word and piece of advice was taken to heart, and will not only help them now, but for a lifetime.

Pictured above are, front row (l-r): Ariah Hull, Madison Fitzpatrick, Mallory Graham, Baylee Hack, Jessica Brewer, Kora James and Hailey Dean. Middle: Liam Dennis, Timmy Brower, Riley Conners, Lacie Baldwin, Cassandra Hill, Madison Fry, Kayla Barker and Cassidy Hack. Back: Casey White, Jason Bolha, Kyle White, Garrett Casto, Evan Zmuda, Mitchell Bell and Skyler Edwards.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/10/web1_FullSizeRender.jpgPictured above are, front row (l-r): Ariah Hull, Madison Fitzpatrick, Mallory Graham, Baylee Hack, Jessica Brewer, Kora James and Hailey Dean. Middle: Liam Dennis, Timmy Brower, Riley Conners, Lacie Baldwin, Cassandra Hill, Madison Fry, Kayla Barker and Cassidy Hack. Back: Casey White, Jason Bolha, Kyle White, Garrett Casto, Evan Zmuda, Mitchell Bell and Skyler Edwards. Courtesy Photo

Submitted by Cassidy Hack.