Excelsior High School Student Leadership Program
Today, fifty-three students at Excelsior High School in Belize City were recognised as leaders and inspiration to their peers. It is the institution’s student leadership program that seeks to motivate and inspire students to do better and excel as one of the best high schools on south side Belize City. A ceremony held this afternoon included members of the board, as well as the proud parents of the students who were honoured. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
They stood beaming with pride as their parents and peers pinned on their badges and sashes. Fifty-three students have been identified as peer helpers and prefects, as well as president and vice president at Excelsior High School in Belize City. Acting Principal Paul Noralez says it’s about the continued efforts to change the negative stigma associated with the school.
Paul Noralez
Paul Noralez, Acting Principal, Excelsior High School
“Today we are having student leader appreciation day where we recognise fifty-three student leaders – fifteen prefects, twenty-four peer helpers and then we have fourteen students who are president and vice president throughout the entire school. Maya Angelou said when you know better you do better and so with this, we are hoping that other students are pushed and are motivated to wanting to become student leaders because at the end of the day, they are the future of this country and we need them to be the ones who propel the goodness that our school has to offer.”
So how were these student leaders chosen?
Paul Noralez
“There is a form that they have to fill out; they pass those forms in and then from there they go through training. And after those training the committee sits again and we discuss it. And so teachers play a part to play with the decisions being made when it comes to these student leaders and then after that, as a school, we present to them and they call their parents – cause parents are here today – and then we get the community involvement as it relates to moulding these students.”
Aside from presidents and vice presidents, there is also a head boy and head girl at the school. They are fourth formers, sixteen-year-old Jermaine Stevens and seventeen-year-old Shanea Stuart, respectively.
Jermaine Stevens
Jermaine Stevens, Head Boy, Excelsior High School
“It feels good to be head boy at Excelsior High School. I plan to give a good example and be a good leader. I want them to come to school every day, don’t give trouble and keep focus on doing their work.”
Shanea Stuart
Shanea Stuart, Head Girl, Excelsior High School
“It helps to give the students, show them example, let them be more respectful. You should be the leader of the school.”
Duane Moody
“Do you find that your colleagues need that extra push, that motivation to do well in school?”
Shanea Stuart
“Everybody needs an extra push because everyone is not perfect. So like I am the head girl right now and I should set examples.”
The student leaders are role models for their peers – they must be attending school regularly, be passing, carry themselves respectably on and off campus and be helpful to their peers.
Riannah Gillett
Riannah Gillett, Peer Helper, Excelsior High School
“I am proud to be a peer helper and I expect to be a leader. See like when Shanea go because she dah head girl and she already in fourth form, I want be the next head girl.”
Sindrah Gillett
Sindrah Gillett, Peer Helper, Excelsior High School
“I was chosen, recommended by staff and it is a great opportunity to be honest because it makes you show your leadership skills. And it isn’t that hard because doing the right thing could be challenging sometimes, but it is also a good thing to do good. Always be there for others if they need a shoulder to lean on and be respectful and respectable at all times to others. So it is a great opportunity, yes, and honestly it is a good feeling to have people look up at you and also to give respect and get back.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
