The Future Leaders and I are sailing 420’s in the harbor in this photo. As a Future Leader, I spent the majority of the summer on these boats. This was a fun new experience that relates to what my job is as a Future Leader. My experience this year was eventful. Throughout the summer, we sailed sonars, 420’s, mercuries, and got a chance to sail the Captiva. Being a Future Leader was a lot different than when I was a student at PPSC. As a FL, I had more responsibilities, and freedom. One responsibility is teaching students every Friday on the island trip.
As a FL, I wanted to teach the students different values throughout the summer. These values included: leadership, sailing skills, and respect, as well as many others. These are important for the students to learn now so they are able to work effectively while sailing in the future. Leadership is an important value for them to learn, as it is the foundation to being a successful sailor. Without leaders, no one would have a strong example to follow. Respect is also an important value for the students to learn. When students have respect for each other and the instructors, it creates a good environment that everyone is happy to be a part of. Sailing skills are also an important part of sailing. Being a good sailor will help set a good example for others.
When everyone is enforcing these values it creates a positive impact in the students. You can see throughout the session the students develop a more positive and productive attitude. From the first day of each session to the last, nearly every student is more comfortable, respectful, confident, skilled, and had a good sense of leadership. I can tell that by pushing these concepts it leaves a lasting impact on the students as a whole that can help them not only in sailing, but in life. Students are more confident in their own abilities by the end of their session. Making them better sailors. Overall they are left with a better understanding of not only sailing, but of what it takes to be a leader. This leaves them with a lasting impact that will help them in their lives and their sailing careers.
One of my personal favorite parts of the program is being given countless opportunities to improve my sailing skills and abilities throughout the summer. This leads me to become a great sailor and teacher in the near future. Also getting the chance to sail all summer long is such a privilege that most people don’t get to experience. Another thing I love about this program is that it is very affordable for students. This gives students an amazing opportunity that many children don’t have. The program offers a chance to sail to people who normally wouldn’t be able to.
My goals for school are to get high honors all year and maintain a good GPA. I want to become a strong student with a good work ethic and I strive to have a positive attitude. One goal of mine at work is to become an instructor as soon as I am able to. I really love the Piers Park program and everything about it. I would like to continue to be a part of the team. Another goal of mine is to be an overall more experienced and confident sailor and to be able to teach everything I know to others. I would love to overall be a part of the Piers Park staff for years to come.
–Audrey Valys
