Hudson College: Promoting Balanced Leadership
By Diana Trull, Guidance
The world is filled with intelligent, hard-working young leaders who aspire to find success in their prospective fields. However, there has been a shift in the hiring wish lists of employers. More and more workplaces are looking to hire actively engaged citizens with humanitarian characteristics such as compassion and empathy for others. Participating in charitable activities is a great step toward gaining skills in leadership, perseverance, resilience, and imaginative, collaborative thinking to overcome challenges. Here at Hudson College, we encourage students to participate in a variety of altruistic activities that reach beyond average expectations. Here are some examples:
House Program
There is nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition! Our grade 8-12 students each belong to one of 4 distinguished houses – Rockies, Prairies, Great Lakes, and Maritimes. Throughout the year, these groups compete against each other and encourage one another to get involved in the school community and beyond. Each year begins with a huge pep rally, and in the months to follow, each house participates in songs, dances, games, activities and fun competitions while forming bonds with classmates that will last a lifetime. Points are collected for involvement in school clubs and activities. Hudson believes that when a student participates in a variety of extra-curricular activities they develop their character and strengthen the culture of the society to which they belong. At the end of each school year, the Discovery House Trophy is awarded to the house with the most points! Our house program has proven to be an exciting way to encourage students to develop a balanced variety of interests and a meaningful connection to their community.
Hudson Heroes
One of the many clubs and activities offered at Hudson College is the Hudson Heroes. The Heroes are a group of compassionate students who are dedicated to improving the lives of the less-fortunate. Whether it is fundraising to support a local family, shopping for Christmas wish-list gifts, or participating in community events such as Tokens4Change, students involved in the club are continuously effecting positive change in their local community. Hudson believes that when a student is given the opportunity to support a charity, their desires are impacted and they are more likely to consider rewarding and meaningful paths in life.
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
All Hudson College, students have the opportunity to participate in the “Duke of Ed” personal challenge. Participants strive to achieve Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards by dedicating themselves to a variety of activities outside of their formal education. The internationally recognized program is designed to encourage young people to develop positive skills and lifestyle habits. Each level of the award is focused on 4 main sections: Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Adventurous Journey. Students must demonstrate an ongoing and consistent commitment to each area. This program offers students aged 14-24 a supportive, non-competitive, youth development platform that develops self-awareness, builds confidence and broadens skills and experience to further their growth as active, responsible citizens. Here at Hudson, all new high school students are automatically enrolled in this program, and provided with support and assistance in their journey to success.
Inspiring Learners to Become Leaders
As part of our support program for grade nine students, Hudson provides the group with a series of lessons and workshops focused on leadership. Students are guided to develop various skills and traits required to find success in high school, and in life. The program is designed to explore the understanding of self-concept. We believe that a student with a strong self-concept has the resiliency to overcome challenges. Through lessons in healthy habits, physical wellness, multiple intelligences and individual leadership, students become aware of their personal strengths and their ability to succeed as unique leaders in their own lives.
Me to We
Hudson College has partnered with Me to We in many ways. Me to We is a charitable organization connected with Free The Children. They inspire young people to transform their lives and the lives of those around them through leaderships training programs, international volunteer trips, and inspirational presentations and call-to-action initiatives. Me to We trips offer students a transformative opportunity to contribute to the sustainable development of communities abroad. While participating in cultural immersion activities and social issues workshops, youth who travel with Me to We gain the skills necessary to become civically engaged citizens, academically successful students, and skilled professional leaders.
Guest Speakers
We have excellent teachers here at Hudson, but it is important for students to gain advice and inspiration from voices outside of the classroom as well! That is why we take every opportunity to invite educated and interesting speakers to our school. This past month students attended motivational presentations by Peter Sklar, one of America’s leading experts on nurturing young talent, and Me to We representatives, who offered a powerful talk about “Giving Where You Live”. Both presentations were well received and enjoyed by all. We will continue to bring knowledgeable guests to Hudson in order to stimulate minds and to offer new points of view.
Be Yourself
One of the Hudson College mottos is “Be Yourself”. We inspire students to be self-confident and to show respect for peers who have the courage to be self-confident as well. This creates an open and supportive environment where students can share innovative ideas and create long-lasting friendships. Hudson is a positive space, continuously promoting a positive attitude.
We offer all of the above opportunities in hopes that our students become balanced, well-rounded leaders in their communities. Hudson College recognizes that our young people are our future, and our school leaders of today will become world leaders of tomorrow. We are doing our best to equip them with as much knowledge as possible before moving on to exciting new places! We have proof that these programs are successful, as students continue to leave us with a strong sense of character, dedication to community, and leadership qualities.
We would also like to share an incredible video that was put together by Hudson College high school students for Tokens4Change.
We are so proud to see the impactful result of everyone’s hard work and dedication. Hudson certainly has a talented student body. Take a look!
• https://youtu.be/yB4QbrWdng4 is the version Youth Without Shelter shares online that recognizes Hudson College and our sponsors. Great footage.
• https://youtu.be/FJR6RLG2-O4 is the version that is now being aired on TV.