Leadership Program Enriches School and Community

Ask any student in the Leadership Class at Las Lomas why they are there, and you will hear phrases like, “to make school more fun for students,” “to help others,” and “to raise awareness of important issues.”

Driven by a desire to make a difference, this group of 36 students works year round to better their school and community.   Leadership Advisor Sarah Wondolowski believes the class is invaluable because it not only empowers students to become leaders, but “reaches out to every one of the 1,500 students at Las Lomas as well as the surrounding community.”

“A good Leadership Class is a large part of the success we enjoy at Las Lomas,” explains Principal Pat Lickiss.  “The students learn the skills necessary to be successful leaders and plan activities for the betterment of their peers.  In addition, Sarah stresses the importance of the students getting out into the community to volunteer in a variety of ways.”   Wondolowski adds, “I believe leadership is essential because it creates the events and activities that make many students excited about going to school.”                 

The leadership program at Las Lomas is a longstanding tradition, with Principal Lickiss having led the class three decades ago.  Despite its history and continued relevance, the class was nearly cut from the budget last year.  “Thanks to students, parents and alumni who fought for the program, some financial restructuring, and the generous support of WCEF, Leadership is safe for now,” says Wondolowski.

Each Leadership student has specific responsibilities.  Many are elected class officers and Associated Student Body (ASB) officers.  Others represent Las Lomas on the Acalanes School Board, Site Council and District Diversity Committee.  Several students serve as commissioners in charge of planning Homecoming Week, rallies, dances, community service activities and sports events.  As a group, the students oversee a large ASB budget that funds many of the extracurricular programs at Las Lomas.   “Without Leadership,” says Senior Will Sasser, co-Rally Commissioner, “students wouldn’t be able to participate in events that are made available to the whole student body, nor have as many community service and charity opportunities.”

The students also participate in one of five “boards,” each with its own set of goals.  The Student Senate Board serves as a liaison with the student body by including class representatives in monthly meetings.  These 55 “honorary leadership students” provide input on activities and bring information back to their respective fourth period classes.  “Student participation has been great, and a lot of people have contributed ideas.  This has given non-leadership students a chance to contribute to the activities,” explains Senior Holden Tamchin, ASB Vice President.

Helping to spread the word on campus is the Communications Board, which puts together the “Knightly News.”   The students write and produce a video news program that features upcoming events and fundraisers.  The video, shown in classrooms each month, serves as an effective tool to communicate with the entire student body, says Wondolowski.

The Spirit Board plans “entertaining and stress-free” events throughout the year to get students excited about school.   “Without their efforts I do not have any idea how we would have the co-curricular activities that are such an integral part of our school,” says Lickiss.  Junior Anna Jameson, Activities Commissioner, agrees.  “Leadership is a really great way for kids to get involved in student activities.  Without Leadership, there wouldn’t be such a strong school community.”

By contrast, the Community Service Board focuses on programs that reach beyond school borders.  Leadership students garner campus support for a variety of causes, including canned food drives, blood drives, the annual holiday giving tree and other fundraisers.  Last year, the class helped raise $8,000 and 32,000 pounds of food for the Contra Costa Food Bank, says Wondolowski.  In addition, Leadership students started a Middle School Mentor program, where outstanding students and athletes from Las Lomas visit WCI to discuss drugs and other issues.

Students on the Appreciation & Awareness Board honor teachers, staff and students for a variety of achievements. The “Jefferson Award” and “Knight of the Month” recognize outstanding contributions by students and athletes, while teachers are honored at a back-to-school luncheon. Leadership students also host a Senior Citizen Ball to show their appreciation to the local senior community. Junior Class Treasurer Connor Green says the ball gives “students, faculty and seniors an opportunity to come together at Las Lomas and have a good time.”

While the Leadership Class spends most of its time planning activities and events, the students have also chosen to advocate on behalf of issues that directly impact their education. When the school board considered dropping the Leadership program, the students attended board meetings and rallied to save the program. They also responded by sponsoring a budget awareness meeting in the school gym and invited then Superintendent Jim Negri to address the school. Recently, the class participated in phone banks and block walks in support of school parcel tax measures G and H.

The Leadership Class is an incredibly important part of the Las Lomas culture, says Lickiss. “I have always been a firm believer that if students are having fun at school and are involved, they will be successful in school,” he explains. “While we have wonderful, hard-working teachers who do a marvelous job in the classroom, student activities are part of a successful equation for a first rate high school.”

Junior Maggie Ridenhour, Leadership Historian, adds, “Leadership is a necessity at Las Lomas. I strongly believe the leadership class creates a more involved student group to better the Walnut Creek community.”

Back to Top