Category: News

“The teacher and the student create the learning” is a statement I heard years ago and has always resonated with me. When I first heard the statement, it spoke truth to me about the interdependence of learning—a mutual process dependent on the learned and learner to exchange information in a dance for the benefit of increased exploration.

Earlier in November, the new members of the 2018-2019 GLSLP Leadership Advisory Council convened at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro. They met with the GLSLP staff to discuss goals for their fellow scholars this upcoming year. The new members participated in team building activities, event planning sessions, and were able to talk via phone to the President of the Golden LEAF Foundation, Dan Gerlach. These leadership activities allowed them open up to each other and develop peer relationships.

“Getting to meet with the GLSLP staff and see the LAC board in person allowed us to create the needed bonds to help us during our term. It was a great experience to meet with this group and we can’t wait to serve on the LAC board this year!” -New LAC member and Year 3 scholar, Taylor Chappell

Year 1 scholar Braxton Nelson completed his summer 2018 internship at Caldwell Heritage Museum in Lenoir, NC. Below is an interview with Braxton regarding his internship experience.

What do you enjoy most about your internship? “I love being able to go into work every day and learn more about my community, and work to preserve our history, heritage, and culture. I also really enjoy being able to have a hands on experience in my field of study, and explore career options on the field.”

What aspect or element of the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program has been particularly helpful during your internship? “I think discovering my personality type and my own strengths and weaknesses at the January conference helped me greatly in knowing the areas that I need to work on while interning. When facing challenges, they’ve given me the ability to better understand how I can best face the issue.”

Scholar of the Year, Sawyer Lee

Selected from a pool of more than 300 scholars this year, the 2018 Scholar of the Year Award was given to Sawyer Lee, a high-performing individual who makes a significant and long-lasting impact on the future of the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program. Sawyer has been described as punctual, ambitious, patient, considerate, resourceful and reliable.

In reading the evaluation comments written by his supervisor, the original goals for Sawyer’s internship quickly changed when they saw just how eager he was to learn and grow. He served as a constant reminder of why they chose to become involved in the program. His supervisor goes on to say they hold him up as an example of someone possessing the character exemplifying the mission of the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program.

Braxton Nelson, Year 1 Rising Star

Braxton Nelson received this award for being recognized by his supervisor as someone “not afraid to get in the trenches and work.” In addition, Braxton completed all of the necessary paperwork on time during the course of this program year! He not only worked the required number of hours for the summer internship, but also volunteered at other locations within his community during this same time period.Braxton was asked to be on the Caldwell Historical Society Board, which he joined. Although not a voting member, he still participates in board meetings and offers ideas and suggestions. Congratulations to 2018 Year 1 Rising Star award winner, Braxton Nelson!

The Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program (GLSLP) offers one of the most comprehensive internship experiences for young people trying to gain work experience of any offered to this population in the state. In concert with their personal coach, each first and second-year scholar is responsible for searching for an internship in their tier one or tier two home county which aligns with their major in school. Coaches, many of whom are from the same or neighboring counties of the scholars they mentor, help provide critical support in a variety of ways. First, they help prep scholars by partnering to develop letters of interest to be sent to potential sites, and often coach them through what is for many their first professional interview experience. Once the scholar secures an internship, the coach further supports their learning experience by encouraging them to set challenging goals that allow them to make the most of this growth opportunity.