Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference hosts tomorrow’s leaders

By AIDA KARIM
news@readthereporter.com

Leadership takes shape in many different forms and evolves over time. A group of young people from across the region recently had the chance to sharpen their skills right here in Hamilton County.

The 30th annual Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) Student Leadership Workshop was held on Aug. 24 at the Carmel Learning Center. Students and teachers from eight schools, including 10 from Carmel High School (CHS), took part in the day-long leadership event.

The MIC schools hold prestige in their respective communities, with all schools boasting more than 300 championship wins in various both athletic and non-sports competitions during the last 30 years, securing consecutive accolades in areas of swimming, football, and basketball.

Founded in 1996, the MIC originally involved academic bowls, arts competitions, and shows. Going back to their roots, leaders made an effort to bring the focus of the conference back to more than just student athletes.

The Reporter spoke with CHS Principal Tim Phares, CHS senior Sophie Collier, and North Central High School junior Sophie Dodson.

With CHS re-entering the conference this year, Phares said he was excited to be back together and host student leaders from a diverse range of talents.

According to Phares, CHS invited student leaders from all grade levels.

“We have students here today representing the communications department, performing arts, athletics, and students excelling in certain academic departments,” Phares said.

Phares told The Reporter CHS holds a long-standing tradition of hosting leadership conferences at the beginning of the year.

“I felt that was important because it kicks off the year in a way where students would be able to take action immediately within their schools,” Phares said.

Youth leadership development speaker Ted Wiese featured as prominent leader of the conference.

According to Phares, Wiese inspired students to think about leadership differently with his “true gift of connecting with kids and being dynamic.”

“These students will be able to use their skills as they move forward in life, wherever they find their career and passions,” Phares said. “And we get the benefit of having them in our schools, there is the expectation of being a student leader and having a positive impact on kids as we move forward.”

Sophie Collier is senior at CHS, the Editor-in-Chief of the Pinnacle yearbook, Cabinet and House of Representatives member in student government, a member of GKOM (Greyhound Kick-Off Mentorship), and member of CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ).

Collier said at the conference she was met with “different faces that I’ve never seen even at CHS.”

According to Collier, she got the chance to expand her network and meet people with different backgrounds.

“Everyone here is really excited to learn and it shows we’re all a community,” Collier said. “Even if we do come from different schools, we’re all getting super competitive and into the games and working together.”

Sophie Dodson is a North Central High School Junior, leader of Morning Mindfulness Club, and school tennis player.

Dodson echoed Collier’s opinion.

“I’m really seeing how much range there is in the type of people that are invited to these events,” Dodson said. “It’s not just one niche of people that get invited to these, pretty much anybody you could imagine has been picked out as a leader at their school.”

Dodson told The Reporter she hoped to take away a new perspective on leadership, understanding how to better communicate with a group and act as an effective leader.

“[Leadership] is not just about sitting on the sidelines,” Phares said. “The most important thing is that you stand up, put your right foot forward, and actually take action in school communities, making them the very best they can be.”