Mount Gilead High School took 15 student-athletes, along with track and cross country coach Lauren Rausch, to The Ohio State University for the OHSAA Leadership Conference on October 6.

The conference is the largest student-leadership conference in the country. The messages heard at the conference will last the selected leaders a life time. From the words of wisdom from Clay Hall, who has worked in the TV industry for more than twenty years (currently working for ABC6), to Chris Hahn (a professional wrestler), each speaker gave a little bit of advice to advance each student-athlete in life and athletics to bring back to their perspective academic and athletic settings. Each speaker had a different interpretation of what it takes to be a leader. Other speakers at this year’s conference were: OSU Football players Bobby Carpenter and Joel Penton, Blue Jacket’s executive Larry Hopfrer, NFL players Shawn Harper and Mark Inkrott, All-American track athlete Eddie Slowikowsi, and NBA legend Bill Hosket.

Students spent the morning listening to the experienced speakers. All speakers related their success to passion. Without passion, it is not as easy to achieve your dreams or goals. They communicated to do something you love, and do it 100%. Speaker Shawn Harper did this by telling the audience to throw their worries into a book, as the audience then watched him rip the book in half! Speaker Eddie Slowikowsi shared a passionate story about how he placed second at his state meet during his high school career, but his family was still proud of him because he was persistent in always giving his best effort. All-American linebacker, Bobby Carpenter, had one of the most memorable messages of the day, stating every leader possess “4 E’s to Success”: Enthusiasm, energy, effort, and execution.

The day ended with Bill Hosket challenging all student-athletes to be selfless and a good teammate, on or off the field.

Submitted by Lauren Rausch, Integrated Science, Varsity Track Coach/Asst. Cross Country Coach.

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