Here at Ygnacio Valley High School, Renaissance Leadership is in its 9th year. However, as the new Renaissance coordinator, I started the year with a completely new class, having only one returning student from the previous year. Because Renaissance is such a given on our campus and already had long standing traditions, the students really worked hard to get the word out that Renaissance Leadership was all new and would be striving to become bigger, better and more successful.

The leadership class was really excited about increasing our VTW's (Visible, Tangible and Walk-Aroundable) after attending a Jostens Renaissance conference. The class ordered brand new shirts and asked if we could have extras ordered. When the shirts came in, each student in the class was given an extra shirt with instructions. Each leadership class member was to find one staffulty member on campus that had inspired them. It should be an adult that made a difference in their life - a teacher, coach administrator or security person.

The response was amazing! Teachers cried; their classes gave them standing ovations; and the principal was thrilled to receive one. The Renaissance Leadership class has been receiving letters, phone calls and thanks from everybody who was touched by one of the Renaissance students. The students were astounded to see what a difference it makes just to tell an adult they are important. They can't wait to do it again next school year.