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Bucyrus Secondary School students, along with others from Northern 10 Athletic Conference schools, participated in a daylong leadership program April 8. The event was held at Mansfield-Laum Airport in Mansfield and was hosted by the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. Schools that comprise the N10 Athletic Conference include: Bucyrus, Buckeye Central, Carey, Col. Crawford, Crestline, Mohawk, Ridgedale, Seneca East, Upper Sandusky and Wynford.

Mohawk Athletic Director Erik Baker and High School Principal Brett Graham organized this year’s event, the first of its kind for the new conference. Baker and Graham had been responsible for organizing a similar event for the Midland Athletic League, and saw this as a natural carryover into the new league.

“We chose the 179th Air Lift Wing because of Mansfield’s proximity to the league schools,” Baker said. “We had worked with the Ohio National Guard’s Army recruiting and retention battalion in the past, so we were very comfortable with the community mission and professionalism of the National Guard units.”

Bucyrus students participating in the program included:
• Megan Flaherty – junior
• Becca Mutchler – junior
• DJ Dagher – junior
• Cole Murtiff – junior
• Ashton Hawkins – sophomore
• Kelci Simms – sophomore
• Rylan Hemmerly – sophomore
• Zane Richardson – sophomore
• Kayleigh Seiber – freshman
• Julia VanVoorhis – freshman
• Gavin Lewis – freshman
• Bailey Plumley – freshman
• Samantha Murtiff – eighth grade
• Brooklyn Spears – eighth grade
• Gram Dick – eighth grade
• Kade Slagle – eighth grade

In addition to meeting other students from the league’s schools, participants had the opportunity to learn about military service and experience the process of putting on the military’s chemical suits.

“We learned a lot about the Air Force and the different careers you can pursue if you join,” Bucyrus junior Becca Mutchler said. “Putting on the chemical suits was a fun, but extremely challenging, experience. It was neat to see the other students wearing them.”

While Bucyrus junior Cole Murtiff enjoyed the experience of the chemical suits, he saw this as an opportunity to get to know students from other schools without the pressure of athletics.

“Coming together and putting athletics aside was great,” Murtiff said. “It allowed us the opportunity to build better relationships with students from other schools.”

While the day was fun for students, there were serious components of the program with specific outcomes that Baker, and other district leaders, wanted to the students to achieve.

“Our hope is that students came away from the experience with an appreciation for the dedication displayed by the Ohio National Guard and all uniformed services, they learned how to refine their innate leadership qualities, and they meet the other student-athletes in the N10.”

Bucyrus Athletics/Activities Director Tony Rose felt this experience not only helped students learn about qualities of a leader, but also helped students see their opponents as individuals trying to accomplish their personal or team goals.

“Students were able to see the characteristics a leader should have while being a student-athlete in the respectful schools,” Rose said. “From this experience, students should have learned what it takes to be a strong leader in their class and be able to fill that role for the rest of their careers at their own high school.

“Many times kids only see their opponents as just that, opponents, when in fact they should see them as another student-athlete trying to accomplish their goals. When the game or event is over, opponents should be able to shake hands, be respectful of one another and wish each other the best of luck for the rest of their season.”

Baker believes there were three specific reasons why this learning opportunity was important for the student-athletes from the league’s member schools.

“This event was important for students in three ways: exposure to a variety of career options and educational opportunities, taking the first step in forming a league “identity” and encouraging them to realize that leadership just doesn’t happen, there’s a great amount of thought and effort that comes into play if you want to be a leader,” Baker said.

Based on Murtiff’s experience from the day, one can only hope that all participants came away with the same mindset.

“Being a leader is not just about what people see, it’s about what you do off the court or out of school,” he said. “There is always someone watching you, and you have to keep that in mind when you are out with your friends and you have to make smart choices.”

For more information about the N10 Leadership Day, contact Erik Baker at erik.baker@mohawklocal.org.