Mrs. Cozzolino, center, with Gabby Thompson to her left, and Megan Millett to her right. Submitted photo

BETHEL — “A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential” -Brene Brown.

Telstar Middle School knows all about leaders. Not only are our teachers leaders but so are our students. In fact, we even have a committee made up of them. Mrs Cozzolino, the educator who runs and organizes the TMS Leadership Committee, explains that, “Leadership Committee is a group of students in the sixth-eighth grade that volunteer to be student leaders both in school and in the community.”

Leadership started out as a Student Council where they had four students elected from each grade. Through the years more students were interested in joining so it was switched from Student Council to Leadership Committee and opened up to more students. Leadership has made a huge impact on the school by providing a special group of students to become role models for their school and their classmates. Mrs Cozzolino says, “It gives them a chance to be a part of a like minded group where they can share their creative ideas and to help make improvements to the school and its environment.”

The Leadership Committee’s main goal is fundraising for charities of their choice, and to sponsor activities for TMS students. In the past, Leadership has helped raise money for many charities by hosting monthly activity nights, the annual Dodgeball Tournament, and the bowling field trip. With the funds that they raise from these activities, they donate to a charity. Some of the charities in the past that have benefitted from Leadership’s fundraising are The Bethel Food Bank, Responsible Pet Care, Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Christmas for Kids, Shoeboxes for the Troops, and Brighter Beginnings, just to name a few.

Leadership has also raised money for TMS Drama, physical education, books for kids, science, art, music, library, and ELA. The positive impact that Leadership has had overall on TMS and the greater community has been significant, and its members are proud to be part of it.

Students can join Leadership during the enrollment period at the beginning of the school year where a sign up sheet is posted.

Two eighth grade members of Leadership talked about their involvement in the group. Megan Millett says that she wanted to join leadership to help Telstar Middle School because she enjoys helping the school and making it a little bit more fun. Gabby Thompson says that she joined last year because it sounded fun, and this year Mrs.Cozzolino reached out to her to ask if she wanted to do it again. She liked it so much last year that she said yes. They both agreed that one of their favorite projects has been organizing the Teacher of the Month recognition. This past month, sixth grade teacher, Ms. Killam along with chorus and band teacher, Mr. Alberi, were recognized for their hard work.

During these difficult times, it has been very important that our community come together. Having a Leadership Committee to help boost our school spirit and to contribute to the community has been invaluable. Certainly our students, with great people like Mrs. Cozzolino at the helm, have inspired all of us to appreciate the importance of leadership.