WENATCHEE STUDENT
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
A GROWING SUCCESS

Inspired by the state's Migrant Student Leadership Conference, Wenatchee High School officials decided they needed one of their own -- one which all their migrant students could attend.

The result this year involved 57 migrant students and 45 WHS staff attending a three-day camp Sept. 7-9 at the YMCA camp in Leavenworth.

It was the first camping experience for most of the students, says Maria D. Castillo, a high school migrant counselor and one of three camp directors, along with Susan Albert and Teresa Cerrillo.

" It was a different experience for most of the students. Sleeping in a cabin, wood fires…" says Mrs. Castillo.

"They met new people, made new friends, and made new connections with faculty."

Most of the student participants were freshmen or sophomores at the school; 12 or 13 were juniors or seniors.

Many of the activities were in small groups, and most involved self-assessing and developing some of the 40 development assets identified by Search Institute as keys to student success. Even developing 15 of these assets can help a student become more successful in school, says Mrs. Castillo.

While the lessons learned were important, they were also made to be fun. For example, a scavenger hunt required students to look for specific objects relating to the 40 developmental assets. Objects included a rock, representing a strong foundation of family and other support assets; a battery, representing empowerment assets; a rope, representing boundaries and expectations to restrain a student from improper activities; a clock, representing constructive use of time; a book, representing a commitment to learning; an eraser, representing positive values to "erase" drugs and other self-destructive activities; a Panteras Unidas (United Panthers) club T-shirt, representing social interaction and competencies; and a mirror, representing a positive personal identity.

These are the major categories for the 40 developmental assets, Mrs. Castillo explains.

Other activities also involved fun problem-solving challenges and development of group support, communication skills, listening skills, career goals, etc. There was also plenty of time for recreational activities, such as hiking, archery and canoeing.

Some of the activities helped the students to understand the expectations and benefits of the "Professional Portfolio" each student is required to develop during their years at Wenatchee High School, and to recognize the assistance available in achieving a successful portfolio.

It's important that students recognize "how they can use a portfolio throughout their school life," says Mrs. Castillo.

The director says the camp was very successful.

"It was extremely important. The students connected. I can see their enthusiasm. I could see their willingness to try new things," says Mrs. Castillo.

Immediately following the camp, the number of students involved in the Panteras Unidas club, for example, doubled from 33 to about 66.

"The most important thing to me is that they are part of the school, and they can have an impact on the school They need to take ownership and have school spirit," Mrs. Castillo says.

Sometimes that is difficult for migrant students who are new to a school. They may not understand English very well. They don't have many friends. They feel isolated. They don't know where to go for help.

"They are a minority. The camp is empowering them," says Mrs. Castillo. "They just work in a different way, and they deal with two languages instead of one."

Of 55 students filling out an evaluation of the camp, 39 rated it "excellent," 48 rated it an "excellent" activity to recommend to a friend, and 49 rated it "excellent" in whether they would want to participate in it again. All of the students rated it "good" (15) or "excellent" (40) in benefits it provided to them.

"The people were the greatest part of the conference because everybody was very positive, approachable and friendly," wrote one student.

Another wrote: "I liked everything, but I loved the archery and nature hiking."

Some preferred presentations about potential careers, and others enjoyed a "boot camp" put on the U.S. Army officers.

When asked what was the most important skill they learned, many mentioned speaking up, making friends, and working as a team.