Photo by Susan Passmore

Amira Lewis (left), 5th grade student at Dr. Antonio Bañuelos Elementary School, was nominated by Linda LeDay, her 4th grade GATE teacher, to attend the 2016  Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp in Dallas.

Bañuelos Student Attends Leadership Camp

Amira Lewis, 5th grader from Dr. Antonio Bañuelos Elementary School, attended the 2016 Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp in Dallas during the summer. Selected as outstanding 4th – 8th graders, 1,144 students participated in Education in Action’s summer camps. Additionally, 30 student alumni returned to serve in a leadership role as youth facilitators.

These young leaders were selected for the Lone Star Leadership Academy camps based on demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation and involvement in school/ community activities. The participating students, representing communities across Texas, traveled to Dallas/Fort Worth (4th, 5th and 6th graders), Austin/San Antonio (5th, 6th and 7th graders), and Houston /Galveston (6th, 7th and 8th graders) to take part in the camps.

Lewis was nominated by her 4th grade GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) teacher Linda LeDay.

“I nominated Amira based on my observations of her in my 4th grade class,” said LeDay. “She was outgoing, enthusiastic, followed directions and was a group leader. Everything she did for class was fantastic. I am so proud of her.”

Spending a week in Dallas was exciting for Lewis, and she plans to attend next summer. She brought back a message for the other students in her school.

“I learned that it’s good to be independent, but sometimes it’s good to work together,” said Lewis. “Everyone should listen to the teachers so they can learn more, and maybe when they’re older, they will want to be like them and teach other people.”

The Lone Star Leadership Academy experience provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about Texas leaders and what it means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.