News : New VSHS leadership class offers tributes to local heroes

Leadership Class: VSHS students honored those who impacted their lives.

A new leadership class at Vinton-Shellsburg High School is helping students to learn a variety of leadership and communication skills and techniques.

One of the lessons is recognizing the impact that the leadership of others has one each of us.

To reinforce this lesson, teachers Joe Johnson and Heather Kalous gave their class members a unique challenge: Write an essay/letter to a local hero, then read it to them at a special event in front of the class.

That event took place on Thursday in the VSHS cafeteria. The Foods Class prepared some casseroles for the event, and the Leadership Class members took turns after supper reading their letters to their honored guests.

Parents, aunts, siblings and coaches were among the honorees, as member of the class shared his or her letter. Mrs. Kalous went first, thanking her father for the lessons he taught her while she was growing up.

The students then each took a turn, thanking siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts or coaches for the impact each has had.

Johnson told the group that the assignment was a tough one, and complimented the students for their "awessome" job.

"I've had some very positive feedback from parents and the students this morning about it," said Kalous on Friday morning.

Students and their honored guests included:

Lyndsey Cornell: Dave Cornell (dad)

Brendan Turner: Chris Turner (dad)

Tanner Holten; Lisa Holten (mom)

Cole Smith; Christine Smith (mom)

Scottie Wirth: Jeff Mangold (coach)

Austin Pettit: Doyle Pettit (grandfather)

Blake Patterson: Mike Timmermans (coach)

Brandi Gerber: Bristi Gerber (sister)

Elly Gloede: Diane Gloede (mom)

Abby Gloede: Todd Gloede (dad)

Bryce Shaw: Becky Shaw (mom)

Josie Wehage: Maxwell Wehage (brother)

Jenna Lane: Diane Hesson (aunt)

Drew Wiley : Andy May (coach)

Cole Overton: Stu Overton (dad)

Jordan Womochil: Don Lyle (coach)

Chloe Osborn: Elle Osborn (sister)

David Bray: Paul Hannon (brother-in-law)

Will Edwards: Nate Edwards (brother)

Mike DeLong: Jeff DeLong (dad)

Emily Reisch: Henk Rook (coach)

Alex Clemens: Ryan Clemens (dad)

Kaylee Graves: Aimee Redlinger (aunt)