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Until a few years ago, I placed myself solidly in the “Christmas is the best holiday of the year” camp. For me, Thanksgiving was a stop on the way to Cookieville and Christmas Tree Town. But, as the promise of new toys became less interesting, I realized that Thanksgiving has its own kind of magic. It’s slow and subtle, but Thanksgiving reminds us all to stop and say thank you. To be grateful for what we have and what others give us. (And of course, to eat lots of mashed potatoes.)

Youth leadership is a fairly common phrase. But if you asked most people to describe youth leadership, I think they’d come up a little short. They would focus on how it helps the “smartest” kids with the “highest potential” build a conventionally successful future.

But as a high school teacher and advisor, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful leadership training for students can be when done in a way that speaks to everyone and focuses on becoming a leader from the inside out.