Posted on August 27, 2024

Addo Ofosu-Apea and Aubrey Hollerich, two Wayside Middle School students, began their summer with an adventure that would change their perspective on leadership and teamwork. Along with five other EMS ISD middle school students, they attended the Lone Star Leadership Academy. With sessions across the state, they attended the camp in North Texas offering a week of immersive activities aimed at developing leadership skills and fostering collaboration.

Hollerich, who had never participated in a leadership camp before, was curious but hesitant. “I’ve never had anyone talk to me about leadership before,” she said.

Ofosu-Apea was excited about the prospect of attending the camp. “I thought it was a cool opportunity, so I looked into it. I decided to go the very first week,” he said.

Both students were nominated by their math teacher, Paul Montreuil, a 20-year veteran of the program and director of the North Texas camp.

“Addo and Aubrey were excellent students last year at Wayside,” Montreuil said. “They demonstrated leadership qualities daily through their interactions with their peers and teachers. They served as positive examples through their work ethic, kindness and success in the classroom.”

Montreuil, who has been nominating students for two decades, values the program for its ability to bring young leaders together to learn, grow and return with skills they can implement in their schools and communities.

The Lone Star Leadership Academy is no ordinary summer camp. Over 670 students from across Texas attend one of three locations—Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston—where they participate in hands-on activities, visit historically significant sites, and collaborate with peers on leadership challenges.

Hollerich enjoyed visiting the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, and the Perot Museum and Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas. “We learned about the history of Dallas-Fort Worth while having fun at the same time,” she said.

Ofosu-Apea, who has an eye for design, enjoyed visiting the Texas Rangers ballpark. “It has an industrial modern look,” he said.

But the real growth came from the teamwork activities. Hollerich described one memorable challenge. “We had to sit back-to-back with a partner and build something with Legos based on verbal instructions. It really helped improve our communication skills,” she said.

Ofosu-Apea agreed, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. “Communication is everything in life. This experience helped me understand when to speak and when to listen,” he said.

Another exercise involved using strings to spell out words with markers, requiring precision and patience. These activities, paired with daily reflection meetings, gave students a chance to process their experiences and prepare for the next challenge.

Montreuil believes these camps are transformative for EMS ISD students. “This program allows students to gather with peers from across Texas to develop leadership skills that they can apply in their schools and communities. They learn about decision-making, problem-solving and collaboration through hands-on activities and workshops,” he explained.

“I’m already planning to attend the next camp," Hollerich said. "I met so many people, and it helped me become more confident. I’ve learned to step back and let others lead when needed.” 

Montreuil emphasized that the program's success is rooted in its mission. “It’s about inspiring the future leaders of Texas and giving them the tools to succeed,” he said.

We are #EMSproud of the students who attended a 2024 Lone Star Leadership Camp. For more information about the Lone Star Leadership Academy and how to nominate students, visit www.educationinaction.org.

2024 Lone Star Leadership Camp Attendees

• Jaxon DeLeon, Creekview Middle School, Austin/San Antonio
• Gracelynn Fairman-Stanley, Ed Willkie Middle School, Houston/Galveston
• Omani Locke, Ed Willkie Middle School, Houston/Galveston
• Nicholas Issac, Ed Willkie Middle School, Houston/Galveston
• Suzanne Kuwar, Prairie Vista Middle School, Dallas/Fort Worth
• Addo Ofosu-Apea, Wayside Middle School, Dallas/Fort Worth
• Aubrey Hollerich, Wayside Middle School, Dallas/Fort Worth