In an initiative to foster gratitude and leadership among younger students, members of Manhattan High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions visited the Lincoln Education Center on Oct. 9. SADD students engaged elementary students in a Leadership Camp that focused on the importance of appreciation and thankfulness.

During the event, Manhattan students guided their younger counterparts in creating personalized thank-you cards for individuals they are grateful for, emphasizing the significance of recognizing the support and sacrifices made by others.

“We just want to teach them what to be thankful for,” co-president Mialah Dillard, senior, said. “…what they have and what the people around them do.”

Dillard emphasizes that gratitude is often overlooked, making it essential for young students to recognize the blessings in their lives and the contributions of those around them. In this instance, a majority of the elementary students wrote thank-you cards to their school’s social workers to express their appreciation for how much they contribute to their schools.

“We want them to take accountability that some people don’t have this in their lives,” co-president Jakobee Fitzgerald, senior, said “They should be thankful for everything they have.”

The Leadership Camp not only represented thankfulness among participants but also strengthened connections between students of different ages, creating a supportive community in their school’s atmosphere.

“It gives them an opportunity to bond while they’re here, and then it energizes their skills and their ability to be leaders in their own building,” SADD sponsor Kari Humes said.