Summer Leadership Academy Shaping Future Leaders

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Students in this year's Summer Leadership Academy are learning how to give back to the community and become a positive influence on the neighborhoods around them.

Twenty one students, members of this year's Summer Leadership Academy class, stopped by the News on 6 for an informational tour Thursday.

They talked about prioritizing information, and how the News On 6 decide who does what.  They also talked about the importance of weather reporting with meteorologist Alan Crone.

The students met Lieutenant governor Jari Askins who just happened to be in the building for a special interview.

"I think it's important for us to grow leaders for tomorrow," Askins said.

That's the ultimate objective of these three-week sessions each summer.

"But we are also hoping that we are inspiring them to see the world differently, as a person who can make a difference, who can really begin to make a difference," said Bert Bibens, Summer Leadership Academy. "To change the world and do something incredible with their life."

The group also visited ONEOK Field Thursday.

Mariana Conteras and the others were nominated by their teachers, from five North Tulsa elementary schools. If they accept, it's two, three-week summer sessions.

Jalen Jackson says this is his second summer and he can tell the difference.

Sandra Avila wants to be an immigration lawyer, a lofty goal for a 6th grader, but learning to set lofty goals is part of leadership.

"You have to be fearless and confident," said Sandra Avila.

The leadership academy will go to Oklahoma City on Friday to tour the Capital to learn more about our state government.