More than 90 student leaders from 10 southeast Iowa schools met at Oskaloosa High School on Wednesday for the Southeast District Officer Boot Camp, a training day focused on helping executive board officers lead their councils.
“We are training the trainers,” said OHS teacher Kim Gile, who serves as executive director of the Iowa Student Councils Association. “Executive board officers will take what they learn back to their councils and implement it with their own teams.”
Oskaloosa hosted this year in part because OHS senior Gabby Stropes serves as the district’s senior officer and student council president. “It’s cool that we get to host,” Stropes said. “We have a great space, it’s central for everyone, and we get to work alongside Mrs. Gile every day.”
Turnout pushed the team to expand the setup early in the morning. “We had to nearly triple our tables and chairs to fit everyone,” Stropes said. “There are more than 90 people here today.”
Gile noted Oskaloosa’s continued involvement at the state level. OHS students Kim Terpstra and Jonah DeVore serve as state officers, and the council recently selected a student to apply for the next state officer cohort. The district’s junior officer, Sophia Coraccio of Centerville, also took part in the training.
Throughout the day, students rotated through sessions on leading meetings, planning projects and building teams. “These kids are awesome,” Gile said. “They’re learning, they’re motivated, and they’re making connections that will strengthen student leadership across our region.”
Student leaders from 10 southeast Iowa schools fill the Oskaloosa High School commons during the Southeast District Officer Boot Camp on Sept. 10. Hosts expanded the setup early to accommodate about 90 participants as they rotated through leadership training sessions.