Taking the initiative
GREG JONES | Staff Writer
gregjones@dailycommercial.com
In his first three years of high school, Samuel Noel used to sit back and crack a few jokes while watching other classmates do work.
But thanks to a leadership class, he has become more of a hands-on participant in recent months after being inspired by other classmates. Noel, an 18-year old senior at East Ridge High School in Clermont, credits this change to a class called "Personal Career School Development," which is designed to teach leadership skills, enhance personal development and present career opportunities.
Now, Noel is now taking that leadership outside of the classroom for Thanksgiving. He and 26 other classmates have taken the lead in providing 100 turkey dinners to 25 East Ridge classmates, and another 75 students at Lake Minneola High School and at East Ridge Middle School. "Gobble Fest," now in its fourth year, was the creation of Tessine Moses, the school's athletic director, who wanted to teach students that leadership is more than giving commands.
"Besides helping other people, this project and class has impacted my life," Noel said. "I don't just sit and crack jokes anymore. I'm prepared for class, and I take the initiative to do things. I make appointments with my guidance councilor to talk about college, the ACT and do other school-related stuff.
"This class has above-average students, and they put you in a mindset to want to do well and give back to the community. They inspire other students in the school to want to do well and give back to the community."
Moses began the program four years ago while teaching a newspaper class at East Ridge. She said she wanted to teach kids leadership skills, including organization, hard work and service to their community.
Gobble Fest started out small -- with 25 turkey dinners but has picked up about 25 additional students each year.
This year, the meals included a turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, cornbread, green beans, carrots, cranberry sauce, fruit, gravy, soap, cake mix and brownie mix. The turkeys were donated by Asher's Church Inc. in Clermont, but the students brought the rest of the food items themselves.
"It requires giving back to the community," Moses said of the effort. "I want (students) to know they don't have to be perfect. You can make a mistake, but you can recover and go on to do great things."
The students said they enjoy giving back, but they said "Mrs. Moses" expects them to go beyond Gobble Fest. The students have adopted a family at the school to help during the holidays.
Iman Seale, 18, a senior, said she learned the importance of giving back and working with others by participating in Gobble Fest. She said the class and project have helped her come out of her shell.
"When you are in Mrs. Moses' class, you have to speak up or she will make you speak," Seale said. "She has helped me grow as a person."
Jordan Stubblefield, 17, a senior, said Gobble Fest is a success because the students work well together and understand their work is benefiting others.
"This is about leadership in our community, and we connect really well, and we want to create an environment that encourages other to help people," Stubblefield said. "This teaches you to give back, and it is okay to ask for help, and there isn't a reason to be scared, ashamed or shy."
Brain Mills, 17, a senior, said preparing the meals gave him an appreciation for his life. He also said Moses doesn't accept anything less than 100 percent -- even when packing food.
"Mrs. Moses keeps us focused," he said. "She doesn't take 99 percent. She expects 100 percent. She wants you to be your best. She wants you to plan for your life, and she is going to push you to do a little bit more.
"This makes you a better person, and you appreciate your life. I'm just like, 'Wow. God has blessed me. He put a roof over my head to sleep. He gave me parents who love me, and he gave me the ability to give back.'"
Friday, November 23, 2012 - www.dailycommercial.com/23nov2012take