Junior Recognized for Inclusive Leadership

This past October, Special Olympics Illinois and the Illinois High School Association combined to create the Inclusive Youth Leadership Certificate. And after an arduous process, junior Samantha Coleman was recognized for her excellence in completing and helping create this new initiative!

Working with peer youth leaders from the Special Olympics Youth Activation Committee and the IHSA Student Activities Commission, Coleman covered topics like My Reason Why, Being an Inclusive Leader, Cognitive Flexibility, Connecting with Others, Effective Communication, Goal Setting, Networking, Presenting Yourself in Person and Paper, Problem Solving and Teamwork. In fact, Coleman went a step further with her efforts, and through her role as an IHSA representative she helped create the Being an Inclusive Leader lesson.

Parker’s mission states that we educate “students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity,” and we applaud Coleman for living out this mission with her actions. Join us in congratulating her on this tremendous achievement!