Anyone can be a leader, but there are special skills one must learn to become a great leader, and this was what the leadership conference on September 7 was all about. The leadership conference was held to teach students how and why they can be leaders. The day consisted of important guest speakers and two breakout learning sessions about all aspects of leadership. The leadership conference came about as part of Student Activities Coordinator April Nakamura‒s vision for the student leaders at McKinley. The day started off like any other, but instead of certain students going to school, they arrived at the Hilton Hawaii Village. Walking into the hotel and arriving at Tapa Room 3, Dressed for Success captains, ambassadors, and officers of student groups and organizations suddenly found themselves immersed in a formal place, almost like in a business meeting with friends. To heighten the professional experience, every student was given a nametag with their leadership position, a bag with the title of the leadership conference, a McKinley-branded notepad and pen, and a few snacks. The students individually knew why they came. It was not just an excursion from school; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people. For the very first time, a leadership conference was held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. The name of the conference was E Alaka’i Pono€ or in English, “Be a righteous leader.”€ The theme was being a good role model. Before the conference began, the students just spoke with one another about their anticipation for the day.

Jessica Zhan (11), the junior class secretary, was excited about learning the different roles in a leader and knowing how to improve on them. She preferred the leadership conference in the Hilton rather than in McKinley because of the more business-like feel. She also said that the school would not have enough space for a leadership conference of 300 people. The seating was assigned randomly because Nakamura wanted students to have experience being able to talk to each other with those they don’€™t know. They think and get out of their comfort zone, which is a leadership skill (leadership skills even in the seating arrangement). The leadership conference began with wise words from the well-known local reporter, Leslie Wilcox. She spoke with power as everyone understood the point she was making, such as being yourself, making proper connections, and figuring out who you are. The conference then divided into two breakout sessions where students first learned about their leadership role (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, captain, ambassador, and advisor) and then learned about a self-chosen strategy to improve leadership skills (Becoming Tech Savvy, Effective Communication, Community Service/Social Events/Fundraising, Public Speaking, Building Relationships as a Leader, and Building an A Team/What’€™s your Leadership Style?). The breakout sessions were held in the Honolulu and Iolani Suites. Both students and teachers alike attended these sessions in order to learn successful leadership methods from experienced leaders, including Jennifer Asato, Lisa Panquites, Jenny Taufa, Kyle Hiranaga, Bob Morikuni, Neal Takimori, Katie Chang, Cheri Kishimoto, Gwen Maeda, Dee Ann Murakami, Eddie Sariol, Tam Nyugen, Bryan Gusman and Elijah Yip. The students then enjoyed a special lunch of a crouton salad and a meaty mozzarella pasta dish. Not only was this a time to enjoy a delicious lunch, but also for each of the student leaders to discuss what went on during their breakout sessions. With so many exciting stories being told about each breakout session, it was almost as if everyone had attended all the other breakout sessions. With chatter and askings for refills and platter seconds, everywhere in sight were maturing leaders. The second guest speaker was Katie Chang, the director of the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. She also headed the second breakout session for Creating an A-Team/Leadership Styles and her leadership-promoting words were similar to Wilcox’s. She discussed vision and why it’€™s important, as without a vision it is difficult to go anywhere.

Ronalyn Acelador (12) liked Katie Chang’s presentation and said that she helped her realize “€œin order to follow a path, you need to have your own vision and goals in life.”

Each of the clubs and organizations then created their own vision for their groups through thorough discussion of what their vision was, the ways they could achieve that vision, and small activities that would make those visions possible and realistic. The last speaker was the student activities coordinator, April Nakamura.

She finalized the conference by discussing why the students came to the conference and how “€œYou are McKinley High School.”

She said that, although the school has the staff, the facilities, and the administration, nothing could be possible without the student’€™s involvement in the school’€™s activities.