LEAD JJ
empowering a Student-Led Culture Shift
Two pairs of friends cross paths on John Jay’s sunny front lawn.
“Hey, today’s the Pep Rally! Are you going?” one student asks the other group.
“No, I’m not into sports,” her classmate said.
“What? It’s fun! And it’s not only about sports! Come with us!” The students walk away together.
“Love it!” said teacher Steve DelMoro. He and a group of fifteen students are sitting around picnic tables in front of John Jay High School, role playing ways to challenge the status quo. He tosses a balloon towards two other students: they’re up next.
"come in with an open mind"
Leaders Evolving and Developing John Jay
This is John Jay High School’s Spring Leadership Conference, sponsored by LEAD JJ, which stands for Leaders Evolving and Developing John Jay. The club’s work is to build students’ leadership skills and help them use these skills to create a more inclusive, enjoyable and rewarding school experience for everyone.
"don't just hear … listen"
Personal growth impacts whole community
“Relationship-building and being able to identify and communicate what’s important to you are skills that students can use with friends, classmates, even with their family,” said school counselor Kristin Spiros, one of the club’s advisors, along with teachers DelMoro, Tom Rizzotti and Kaitlyn McCarthy.
Personal growth is part of what drew junior Ilirijana Ahmetaj to the LEAD JJ. This was her first meeting with the club. “I hope the lessons, exercises and feedback can help me refine my leadership and communication skills and give me a better understanding of what it means to lead with integrity and passion.”
Everyone is welcome to leadership
More than fifty students gathered that morning in John Jay’s theater, where the conference began. While the club’s advisors had invited sports team captains, club presidents and student council representatives, many of the students there were tapped in more unusual ways.
The club’s advisors looked at who had signed out early from last spring’s JayFest. They reached out to those students to find out why and ask them to be part of the new wave of student leaders. “We pulled them in so they can be involved in shaping events that resonate with them,” said Spiros.
"be optimistic about what could be"
Re-envisioning all-school events
Now in its third year, LEAD JJ’s small and steady changes are already becoming rich, inclusive traditions. The fall Homecoming Club Carnival & Pep Rally and spring JayFest both include relay races, food and a massive game of musical chairs. They showcase the performing arts as well as varsity teams and highlight new teachers as well as those who are retiring.
This year, LEAD JJ launched a winter event, Unity Day, designed to help students identify what they have in common. Later that afternoon, the club would be re-envisioning Freshman Orientation.
“These events allow students who have varied interests to come together,” said junior Colby Coltrone. “It has been super meaningful to see these events unfold and to see everyone having fun, interacting with new people and making new friends as a result of the work that we all put in.”
Winning, together
Taking ownership of one’s experience
Outside, on the front lawn, McCarthy’s group was blowing up balloons for a crazy game that involved moving cups with balloons. It was part of their exploration of enthusiasm and how it motivates others.
“You’re all here because you’re invested in this school, as am I,” McCarthy said to the students, in between laughs. “You have the rest of your high school experience ahead of you and you get to make it what you want it to be.”
Junior Maddie Frederick highlighted the enthusiasm club members share for bringing more energy and spirit into John Jay High School. “It’s truly rewarding to see the impact we can have on our school environment.”