The 4th Annual Female Leadership Forum was held on April 2nd at Rustic Ridge Event Center in Hardin, KY. Gifted females in 4th-12th grades attended the event. Each year, the Student Leadership Class at Marshall County High School hosts the Female Leadership Forum to bring the gifted females together from all over the school district. The girls attending represented a wide range of giftedness which included the areas of general intellectual ability, the academic areas, creativity, leadership, and the visual/performing arts. The girls participated in activities that require creative thinking, effective communication and collaboration, and teamwork.
Darla Doss, who is a local businesswoman, a member of the Benton Women's Club, and Chair of the Marshall County Board of Education, was the keynote speaker. She encouraged the gifted females to use their individual strengths and to not be scared to step out of their comfort zones. She presented the girls with capes and taught them power poses to boost their confidence. She wanted them to remember they are capable of anything they set their minds to.
The students in the MCHS Leadership class plan for the Marshall Male Conference each fall and the Female Leadership Forum each spring. Planning for the FLF began in January with discussions regarding venues, menus, themes and decorations, activities, and sponsorships.
The students are required to create plans and contingency plans to ensure a successful day for their peers. They must go out in the community and communicate with potential sponsors and work with other adults to negotiate the venue. They budget the funds, order food and decorations, and keep detailed records to establish a well-ordered workflow. The students also plan activities to promote creative thinking and purchase the supplies. All funding is provided by community sponsors.
The leadership students must use leadership skills of analyzing and evaluating to predict probable outcomes, effective communication and collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and problem-solving skills as they work together as a cohesive group to plan and then implement their ideas. The students make all final decisions. Both males and females support each other through the planning and implementation of each event. Debriefing provides time to reflect, revise, and grow to make each year better.
We would like to thank the following Marshall County businesses for their sponsorship of the Female Leadership Forum. Our event would not be possible without your help. We appreciate your support!
Benton Insurance Agency
Benton Women's Club
CFSB
Crossroads Lawn and Garden
Custom Automotive
Donohoo and Associates
FNB
Marshall County Family Resource Center
Hendrickson Wealth and Retirement
Kids Kare
Brenda Garvin
Kentucky Farm Bureau
Lyles Eyecare
Mailboxes Plus
Nesbitt's Dock and Lifts
Reliable Glass
Shop-O-Rama
Wood's Florist
