By Tammy Parris
Swainglers have teamed up with other students in the school to form a group for the Leader In Me Day in April. The Leader in Me (LIM) is Franklin Covey’s whole school transformation process. It teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. The LIM group is student lead. I get the privilege of being the staff sponsor of this group. Junior, Daniel Ammons is the student leader. We meet every Thursday for several weeks. Daniel takes attendance and leads the meeting.
Our goal is to have an all day fishing tournament for the Leader In Me Day, April fourth at Fontana Lake. Group members will compete with each other for the day. Students voted and the tournament winner will be based on the highest total weight of fish. It’s not just a bass tournament, any Fontana Lake species will be allowed at the weigh in. Artificial and live bait will be allowed. Of course, all wildlife guidelines and rules will be followed.
We can’t have a tournament without prizes! The group has a budget to abide by. Members voted on the prizes for first, second and third place – First Place being a Lews fishing rod! Many parents and community members have already volunteered to chaperone the day. Plans are being made for a cook-out for lunch. Anglers have to be fed!
To say the least, the students and I are so excited! Who wouldn’t be, we get to fish for the whole school day!
Tammy Parris is the Leader of The Swainglers fishing club at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. They fish once a month of the school year during club time. Contact her at tparris@swainmail.org for more information or to support this popular club.