Written by Darilyn Hackett – NELA Principal
Nueva Esperanza’s Leadership Academy’s (NELA) purpose is to develop our students to be servant leaders. We help our children discover and develop their God-given gifts and talents while pursuing rigorous academic goals. As they come to understand their identity in Christ, we encourage them to see a future in which they will impact the world through love and service to others.
“Me senti mas calmada porque nos dieron mas tiempo para pensar.” (“I felt more calm because it gave us more time to think.”)
In the course of an academic year, our students participate in several opportunities outside the classroom to enhance their learning, creavitity and worldliness. Destination Imagination is one such event that we have been part of for the past few years. Each learning season of Destination Imagination is a whirlwind of trying, failing, creating, problem solving, collaboration, frustration and fun. This year was certainly no different.
“Our award showed teamwork, and that we are able to stick up for someone and accommodate them.”
Although our teams did not place in the top three at state level, our 7th/8th grade team (pictured above) learned a wonderful life lesson about the importance of being servant leaders who stand for the most vulnerable amongst them. The judges chose them to honor them with a special award – “The Spirit of Discovery and Imagination” for being “great advocates for what they needed.” The bilingual team and advocated for their language needs – specifically asking for more time to interpret for Alisson, who is a monolingual Spanish speaker.
“I feel proud because this award really showed that we worked together and spoke up for each other.”
In a world that feels overly disconnected, and competition often defines the purpose of our shared activities together, NELA students displayed their servant leadership learnings in the most profound way. ‘Winning’ in this case was being together and ensuring everyone’s voice was include and heard.