20 Havre students awarded scholarships

Twenty Havre High School juniors were awarded $1,000 scholarships Tuesday, to attend Montana State University-Northern, at a banquet to honor their hard work and vigor.

Leadership High School, a program that sent high school students to various organizations and businesses Tuesday to job shadow employees, was created by the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce 14 years ago.

Debbie Vanderberg, the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, was the first to speak at the LHS graduation ceremony at the Montana State University-Northern Student Union Building ballroom. She said part of the Leadership program is to give students the opportunity to experience life after high school and to gain practical knowledge and tools for their future careers.

Vanderburg said the students in the program take part in a myriad of activities, such as going on a retreat, making lunch at Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, helping out at the Havre Food Bank and participating in Life Skills Day, where students learn about managing finances and how to conduct themselves during interviews.

Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson said he was proud of the 20 juniors from Havre High School who completed the Leadership program.

"This is an outstanding program," Carlson said.

Carlson spoke of leadership and what comprises it.

"Leadership doesn't always look the same," Carlson said. "Too often we look for recipes. ... The only way for you to be a leader is to be yourself. Leadership, above all things, must be equivically genuine."

The program is in partnership with MSU-Northern, which awards a $1,000 scholarship to those students who complete the program and choose to attend Northern. The students have the option of using the scholarship for their first semester of their freshman year or for the dual credit program while they are still in high school.

Northern Chancellor James Limbaugh spoke to the high school students before handing out certificates to the graduates.

"You can only lead when others choose to follow," Limbaugh said, adding they have to be an example for people to want to follow.

The last guest speakers were graduates of the program. Mary Kaercher, a current MSU-N student who graduated from the program in 2009, and Shannon Newth, an anchor and producer for KRTV in Great Falls and 2003 Leadership graduate, both shared their stories of success with the students.

"You're all a role model in some capacity," Newth said. "No matter where you are, you can make an impact. Your attitude makes a big difference."

Josh Emge, one of the 20 Havre High students who graduated from the program Tuesday, said he thought the program was worth it.

"I got some leadership skills I can carry on the rest of my life," Emge said. "It's a good program to be in."

Emge said he plans to attend college out of state to become an officer in the United State Marine Corp.

Another graduate, Tatiana Ralph, said the program helped her as well.

"I'm walking away with a good head on my shoulders and confidence to show people how to act," Ralph said.

The Leadership program takes juniors from Havre High School every year to put them through six months of real-world learning and career experience.