Rising Leaders

Who is a Rising Leader?

Peachtree-Atlanta Kiwanis has sponsored the Most Improved Student luncheon since 1968. Since 1995, it has also sponsored Rising Leaders. Under this program two students from each Atlanta City high school are chosen as Rising Leaders. Usually, they have been selected as "Most Improved" in the previous spring and recognized as a Most Improved Student at a luncheon in April.

What do Rising Leaders Do?

Rising Leaders attend leadership training classes based on Sean Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens. The classes are led by business professionals (including Kiwanis members) with experience in human resources training who volunteer their time. The students get to know other students from Atlanta City high schools. Together, they discuss career and personal goals and success. They focus on a vision of their future and help others do the same. They find a group of adults who care about their dreams and who listen and help plan those dreams. Often, the adults share their personal history.

Where Do Rising Leaders Go Next?

At the end of the school year, several Rising Leaders receive monetary scholarships for college or tuition-paid scholarships to 21st Century Leaders Summer Camp, a program sponsored by the Georgia Business Forum. All Rising Leaders may spend time with someone in a career they might be interested in, through the mentor program. Kiwanis hopes all Rising Leaders will become involved in their community and in other programs with leadership experiences.

When Are Rising Leaders Sessions Held?

For the 2002-03 school year, Rising Leader classes are from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. at Troutman Sanders, 600 Peachtree Street (NationsBank Building), 52nd Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30309 on:

September 26, 2002 - Introduction to the Seven Habits
October 24, 2002 - Taking Charge of My Life
November 14, 2002 - Setting Goals
December 12, 2002 - Managing my Goals
January 16, 2003 - Developing an Attitude that Gets Me Where I Want to Go
February 13, 2003 - Developing Relationships
March 20, 2003 - Developing Cooperative Habits
April 17, 2003 - How Do I Find The Strength to Do It All?
April 24, 2003 - Luncheon

What Do Counselors Do?

High school counselors are very important! High school counselors nominate the students for the Most Improved Student designation. High school counselors receive information about Rising Leaders and need to share it with the Rising Leader students. Students are encouraged to let their counselor know that they want to participate. Reminding students of each Rising Leader class and providing an approved early dismissal are key tasks for the counselor. Counselors are welcome to attend any class.

What Does Kiwanis Do to Help Counselors?

Kiwanis provides counselors with the schedules for Rising Leader classes. A Kiwanis member will call to remind the counselor several days before each class and call to remind each student as well. Kiwanis will provide any counselor, upon request, the attendance report for each Rising Leader class. Kiwanis will send students a reminder before each class together with a MARTA pass. (The classes are held in the NationsBank Building which is just outside the North Avenue MARTA station.)

Rising Leaders may participate in a mentoring program in which students are matched with a person in a career or career field in which the student is interested. Counselors are encouraged to use this program to help guide their students.

Where Do I Get More Information?

You may call Sherry Neal, chair of the Rising Leader program ,at (404) 815-6576 or fax at (404) 815-6555 or email at sherryvneal@netscape.com. As a backup, Kathy Solley at (404) 815-6052 is also available to answer questions. Questions about the mentoring program should be directed to Ronni French at (404) 651-3927.