STUDENTS EXPLAIN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

The first class of the Cape Girardeau Student Leadership Academy -- featuring 25 students from the city's public and parochial schools -- is completed.

Four students who were participants in the class were among speakers for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee Friday along with Cape Girardeau police chief Rick Hetzel, a member of the student leadership steering committee.

"We had 25 total students for the first program," said Hetzel. "The format was similar to the Leadership Cape program developed by the Chamber of Commerce. It helps develop student leaders and offers them training to develop their skills."

Advanced class offered

This year's participants, all juniors from Notre Dame Regional and Central high schools, can come back next year for further training, said Hetzel. This will give the program two classes next year: a junior class and senior class.

"We haven't structured the advanced class yet," said Hetzel.

Hetzel is familiar with the programs. He worked with a similar program in Norcross, Ga., involving 13 schools. "Students there wanted to learn about technology, environmental issues and health care," he said.

The four students discussed their experiences of the past year.

"I thought I would be a little nervous during he hospital program," said Becky Komorech, a Central student. "But we toured St. Francis Medical Center, visited the emergency room and watched a surgery on video. We learned a lot about how a hospital operates."

Laura Slaten, a Notre Dame student, described her media panel experience. "We visited KFVS television station, Zimmer radio station and the Southeast Missourian newspaper," she said. "We learned how each operated and were actually involved in projects at each site.

Melissa Enderle of Notre Dame descried the government and law day seminar. "We toured the police station and jail, met the police dog and watched computers on crime," she said.

Jessica Layman of Central described creating a business plan. "It was a good experience," she said. "We created the plan and discussed how to make it happen." The group also paid a visit to Westfield Shoppingtown Center.