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Boonville —
Megan Reisinger said she began laughing before the Leadership Boonslick graduation as she recalled an icebreaker activity the group conducted in one of its first meetings.
To help the participants get to know one another, the organizers staged a dance activity to a Justin Bieber song. Reisinger said all the members— most of them middle-aged adults— didn't hesitate to start swaying their arms.
"No one cared that they were having their pictures taken or if anyone was standing looking in the windows," said Reisinger, a youth and family director at the Boonslick Heartland YMCA.
Since January, Cooper and Howard county residents have met throughout the region for training aimed at building leadership skills. The program, a partnership between public entities, nonprofit organizations and local businesses, included 19 people, several of them working for the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel or the city of Boonville.
The participants gathered last night outside the Hain House for a buffet dinner and graduation ceremony. Cooper County Eastern District Commissioner Paul Davis led the event and highlighted the contributions the members made to local children and to a structure used during the winter holiday season. The graduates each received a certificate and a carved USB drive for their efforts.
Reisinger, who moved to Boonville from San Diego more than two years ago, said she joined the program to meet more people throughout the community.
"It's obviously very welcoming, and it's helpful when you realize what you have in common," she said.
As a YMCA employee, Reisinger works with underprivileged children in the area. She said she talked to other members about the needs in the area and about the Buddy Packs program, which provides students food and other necessities to take home. The group chose Buddy Packs as one of its community service projects and raised $1,169.
A refurbished Santa House, the sides freshly painted red and the roof painted green, stood on the street next to the Hain House. The group chose restoring the structure, which the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce uses annually around Christmas time, as its other community service project. In a rare springtime appearance, Santa walked out from the Hain House to examine his new digs Thursday.
Kate Fjell, city special projects assistant, said this year's participants, the program's second class, gelled quickly and traveled outside of Boonville more than in 2010. Fjell said the program can measure its success by the number of graduates who enter into leadership roles.
Nancy Fisher participated in the 2010 program and was elected circuit clerk of Cooper County in August. Katie Gibson, a graduate who spoke on Thursday, was recently appointed commissioner of the city's Tourism Commission.
"We're hopefully fostering a network of leaders," Fjell said.
The program charges participants $200 each and relies on donations for the rest of its funding.
Megan Reisinger said she began laughing before the Leadership Boonslick graduation as she recalled an icebreaker activity the group conducted in one of its first meetings.
To help the participants get to know one another, the organizers staged a dance activity to a Justin Bieber song. Reisinger said all the members— most of them middle-aged adults— didn't hesitate to start swaying their arms.
"No one cared that they were having their pictures taken or if anyone was standing looking in the windows," said Reisinger, a youth and family director at the Boonslick Heartland YMCA.
Since January, Cooper and Howard county residents have met throughout the region for training aimed at building leadership skills. The program, a partnership between public entities, nonprofit organizations and local businesses, included 19 people, several of them working for the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel or the city of Boonville.
The participants gathered last night outside the Hain House for a buffet dinner and graduation ceremony. Cooper County Eastern District Commissioner Paul Davis led the event and highlighted the contributions the members made to local children and to a structure used during the winter holiday season. The graduates each received a certificate and a carved USB drive for their efforts.
Reisinger, who moved to Boonville from San Diego more than two years ago, said she joined the program to meet more people throughout the community.
"It's obviously very welcoming, and it's helpful when you realize what you have in common," she said.
As a YMCA employee, Reisinger works with underprivileged children in the area. She said she talked to other members about the needs in the area and about the Buddy Packs program, which provides students food and other necessities to take home. The group chose Buddy Packs as one of its community service projects and raised $1,169.
A refurbished Santa House, the sides freshly painted red and the roof painted green, stood on the street next to the Hain House. The group chose restoring the structure, which the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce uses annually around Christmas time, as its other community service project. In a rare springtime appearance, Santa walked out from the Hain House to examine his new digs Thursday.
Kate Fjell, city special projects assistant, said this year's participants, the program's second class, gelled quickly and traveled outside of Boonville more than in 2010. Fjell said the program can measure its success by the number of graduates who enter into leadership roles.
Nancy Fisher participated in the 2010 program and was elected circuit clerk of Cooper County in August. Katie Gibson, a graduate who spoke on Thursday, was recently appointed commissioner of the city's Tourism Commission.
"We're hopefully fostering a network of leaders," Fjell said.
The program charges participants $200 each and relies on donations for the rest of its funding.
