MADISON – During the second annual Leadership Day, young students at Horizon Elementary School explained several components of a “Leader in Me Lighthouse” school.

Horizon adopted the Leader in Me program in 2012; in total, 3,985 schools are Leader in Me schools. Then, Horizon was awarded Lighthouse certification in March 2018. Currently, 433 schools have Lighthouse status, with only 13 in Alabama.

“Horizon is the only school in Madison to have achieved this status,” Horizon Principal Rodney Richardson said. “Leader in Me is a holistic approach that empowers students to realize and work toward their full potential.” Leader in Me exercises enable students to develop skills and self-confidence necessary in their lives and succeeding in school and beyond.

“The Lighthouse status is a representation of the dedication of our faculty, staff, students and parents to help each child discover and develop their unique abilities. Our students are equipped to live the Seven Habits as they develop and grow as productive members of society,” Richardson said.

Horizon students shared their leadership skills during Leadership Day in March with distinguished guests, including Mayor Paul Finley, Superintendent Robert V. Parker, Madison Board of Education members, Central Office staff and other community members.

At Leadership Day, students welcomed guests and introduced the agenda. They explained the Seven Habits and ways that they apply the habits at school and in their home lives.

“We even had kindergarten students volunteer to speak at Leadership Day about a specific habit,” Richardson said. All Horizon’s 670 student participated — creating invitations, making decorations and serving as tour guides. One class shared chants they wrote for each habit.

Student emcees for the assembly included Kamari Coleman, Jaxon McClanathan, Stella Garcia and Daniel Pleasant. Students who explained the habits were Jacob Hopkins, Dean Charman, Rylee Chandler, Isabella Bailey, Evelyn Murray, Canaan Mayo, Jahmel Bivines, Emily Upham and Alina Long.

Superintendent Parker received a lesson in archery from a Horizon student.

One student said learning about the Seven Habits makes students “nicer.” Another student said, “My favorite habit is Habit 6 because it means to work together. I’ve seen a lot of improvement with me working together.”

A grandparent said, “I’m amazed at the confidence of the students.”