Students Learn At Summer Leadership Academy

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Developing the potential of promising middle school students is the goal of the Summer Leadership Academy.  The summer session is well underway, and the students are being given the building blocks which can make them good leaders.

Students were playing Four Square during a break from classes at the Summer Leadership Academy.

"Our goal is to reward them for being good students and for being good leaders, but also to give them the skills necessary to be all that they can be," said Summer Leadership Academy Director Bert Bibens.

Bibens says all the kids attending the session had to be nominated by teachers or counselors at their school.    

Kiana will be a 7th grader in the fall; she says she's a little surprised at what she's learned.

"What I didn't realize is they do teach you really good things about being a leader," said Kiana.

Students are learning things like how to cooperate and work with people you may not know or like.

"We build community. We play games that have meaning attached to them so hopefully we are building those life skills and leadership skills," said Summer Leadership Academy Director Bert Bibens.

There's classroom work, too.  Students take math and science classes.  In some classes, they talk about trust.

The group is going to Joplin to visit the George Washington Carver Monument; in computer class they are researching others who have changed society.

The Summer Leadership Academy survives on private contributions and is pursuing non-profit status as a 501-C3 agency.

If you'd like more information about SLA, you can contact Bert Bibens at 918-481-1111, extension 253.