Ramona Welcomes Emerging Leaders

Enthusiastic developing leaders from 21 local elementary schools learned to build their leadership skills at Ramona’s first Emerging Leaders Seminar this week. Under the guidance of Ramona students and faculty mentors, 40 seventh and eighth grade young women identified their personal leadership styles, strengthened their speaking ability, developed their interpersonal skills and planned a service project to implement at their home school community.

Students also focused on four key personal qualities of a leader: honest, forward- thinking, competent, and inspiring. As student leader mentor Dora Bezonsky ’17 notes, “I remember attending Ramona the summer before my freshman year and now, four years later, I am glad I get to be a mentor to intelligent seventh and eighth graders who aspire to be influential young women in the near future. To be able to speak out about social justice, community service, and leadership not only refreshes my own memory of what I constantly learn at school, but further enhances the knowledge of the girls who might not have any experience with the topics. While at the seminar, I am reminded of my eighth grade self, ready to take on the next stage of my life. With that in mind, it is encouraging to leave these girls with the mentality a true leader attains. “

Other Ramona student leader mentors were Alexa Gomez ‘17, Reanna Salvador ‘17, Nicole Vargas 17, and Destiny Zelaya 17. Faculty leaders included Ms. Laura Dumas, Ms. Val Green, and Ms. Diana Yniguez.

Leadership is a core element of a Ramona education and an important way that the Sisters of the Holy Names’ empower each young woman to reach their full potential. Participants, who were nominated by their elementary schools, received seminar scholarships with the support of a grant from the Sisters of the Holy Names Incorporated Province Ministries.

Ramona is a Catholic college-prep high school for girls in grades 9-12. At Ramona, prepare for life! We are a welcoming community where high standards and expectations ensure an extraordinary education for every young woman. When students graduate from Ramona, they face the future with an extraordinary education in their pocket; with a global vision fueled by Catholic, SNJM values; with an independent spirit and confident leadership skills; with Ramona sisters by their side and a legacy of more than 100 years of excellence at their back.

Ramona Convent Secondary School, 1701 W. Ramona Rd, Alhambra, CA 91803, (626) 282-4151 or visit www.ramonaconvent.org.