La’Kisha Dickerson, Xavier Hicks and RJ Whitney from Newton High School spent two days learning how to be good leaders at the Career and Technical Instruction (CTI) Program Fall Leadership Conference Thursday Nov. 12 and Friday Nov. 13. More than 800 students participated in this year’s conference.

On Thursday evening the Airport Mariott prepared a wonderful dinner for the formal banquet. Mr. Joseph B. Washington was the keynote speaker. He encouraged the students to “Break the Spirit of Average.” He gave the  seven keys to turn your average into awesome.  Ashley Dollar from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reported that CTI has raised more than $16,000 to support CHA.  Mr. Scott Cary, Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Program Manager, brought greetings from the state department.  

On Friday morning the students had an opportunity to attend leadership sessions.  The sessions presented were designed to help students develop the characteristics of a leader in their school, the community and at home.  RJ, Xavier, and Kisha enjoyed the conference and are eager to put into practice what they have learned.  The students were chaperoned by their coordinator, Gloria Fallings.

The Georgia Career and Technical Instruction support service is designed to support students with disabilities enrolled in CTAE classes. The goal of the secondary ,grades 9-12, level services is to provide these students with job-entry skills at the completion of the CTAE experience.