Leadership or Partisanship?

Camp Olympia: the place where selected high school seniors from all around the city go to partake in a leadership crash course and bring what they learn back to their schools. Being chosen to go to this leadership camp is very looked highly upon by universities and sometimes, employers. At Mary Ward, the handful of students who are chosen to go to Camp O become the core OASIS leaders of the following school year. In fact, they are handpicked.

So, what characteristics must a Mary Ward student possess in order to go to Camp O? Leadership, for one. They have to do well in school. The ability to work in a team is another. Oh, and I can’t forget that they have to be known in the school. No matter how great of a leader, student, or team-worker you are, if the ‘panel’ of decision makers do not know who you are, you’re simply not going to even make the decision table.

Unlike other schools, senior Ward students need not apply for a spot on the bus to Camp Olympia. A group of teachers make this decision. But is this really fair? Are all students eligible to go to Camp O and be part of the next core OASIS group considered? What if a student does so much for the schools community and possesses the qualities I listed above, but is not particularly recognized by the group of teachers choosing? Are all the teachers in this group a wholesome representation of the entire senior student body? I, for one, personally don’t think so.

As an observant student, I have seen many of my school peers who deserve to be sent to Camp Olympia – and at least become an OASIS leader – not be chosen. There are many students who work hard and maintain a good reputation in the school, and sometimes they are overlooked. Being chosen to become a leader, whether in the core group or in the main one, is something that students take pride in. Sometimes, more often than it should occur, students are left out because of the process of choosing.

I think Ward should start making students apply for a position to be in Camp O. In this way, all students who truly want to take part in the experience are considered. Students that are actually qualified are considered. Even if they are not chosen, at least students who longed to go were given a chance. Unlike now. How is it possible for a group of teachers to judge 400 students by reading their name off a list? It’s not.