3 Nacogdoches students among 3K who attended Lone Star Leadership Academy

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - University life is definitely in the future of three Nacogdoches ISD students.

They were among just over 1,000 4th through 8th graders selected to attend the Lone Star Leadership Academy this summer.

The students have confidence in themselves as leaders, but sometimes wonder about adult leadership skills.

As Americans prepare to select the nation's leader, some will wonder what really makes a good leader.

Thirteen-year-old Landon Anderson, an 8th grader at McMichael Middle School, can share some skills after attending leadership camps for the last three years.

"The last camp was respect," Anderson said.

Landon said respect is missing from news talk shows.

"When they argue on TV," Anderson said.

Perhaps adults can take some advice from this avid reader who knows all about disagreements. Landon has three younger brothers.

"Me and my brothers, when we have a disagreement, we usually talk about it a long time and we finally come up with an agreement," Anderson said.

Seventh grader Lorelai Parkhurst considers herself a pretty good negotiator too.

"I know when to step in when something isn't going right," Parkhurst said.

Lorelai also has three Lone Star Leadership Academies to her name. Perhaps Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte could have used some of what she learned.

"It's just ridiculous. Like you should own up to what you did," Parkhurst said. "You know what you did, you should own up to it."

And high school freshman Scottie Hutchens takes her leadership training to the laboratory.

"I'm in the STEM Academy at SFA," Hutchens said.

This young scientist says a young leader should know when to put technology aside.

"We do tend to step aside and let things like technology control our actions, and we don't have those same leadership skills, but we're evolving, we're getting there, my generation," Hutchens said.

Their generation is one adults sometimes criticize. These three are developing the leadership skills to give everyone confidence the future will be just fine.   
The Lone Star Leadership Academy Camp requires an educator recommendation and involvement in school and community activities.

Students and their parents should check with their counselor or Lone Star's website for enrollment information.

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