Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University Leadership Institute hosted 37 teams – 10 college teams and 27 high school teams – for the 12th annual Washburn University Leadership Challenge EventTM (LCETM) March 3 and 4 at the Maner Conference Center in Topeka. The overall LCE “champions”/first place are Mill Valley High School and team #1 from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
All LCE winners are as follows:
Champions:
High School- Mill Valley High School (Shawnee, Kan.)
College- University of Nebraska Lincoln, team #1 (Lincoln, Neb.)
Second Place:
High School-Bishop Seabury Academy (Lawrence, Kan.)
College- Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa)
Third Place:
High School- Shawnee Heights High School (Tecumseh, Kan.)
College- Midland University (Fremont, Neb.)
Collaboration:
High School- Topeka West High School (Topeka, Kan.)
College- Midland University (Fremont, Neb.)
Communication:
High School- St. Mary’s High School (Rossville, Kan.)
College- University of Nebraska-Lincoln #2 (Lincoln, Neb.)
Transformation:
High School- Topeka West High School (Topeka, Kan.)
College- Midland University (Fremont, Neb.)
Emerging Leader Award:
High School- Mill Valley High School (Shawnee, Kan.)
College- Wartburg College (Waverly, Iowa)
The simulation based competition offers students a space to practice the leadership skills they will need when navigating challenges in the real world. This years simulation focused on an environmental disaster caused by a waste water leak at a manufacturing plant. Throughout the simulation, students participated in a live press conference, answered emails, attended to citizens’ concerns through live role-plays, and researched the short and long-term implications of an environmental crisis. At mid-day, participants were thrown a curveball through a live employee strike, which forced them to address ethical concerns about equity and work-place problems that could prevent appropriate action from being taken when problems arise.
“This year’s Leadership Challenge Event allowed for teams from across the state and country, to test, grow, and develop their leadership skills,” said Taton Smith, LCE student fellow. “As LCE fellow, the best part of the event is witnessing the students work through the simulation as a team of leaders. Seeing students arrive in the morning anxious of what the day will entail, and leave feeling confident in their abilities is what makes this event so unique.”
The Washburn University Leadership Insitute invites teams to participate in the 13th annual LCE March 2 and 3, 2023.
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Editor’s Note:
(*=First Year participating)
College Participants:
Arkansas Tech University (2 teams)Christopher Newport University*
Fort Hays State University
Kansas City Kansas Community College*
Midland University
Missouri Western State University*
Wartburg College
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2 teams)
High School Participants:
Arkansas City High School
Bishop Seabury Academy*
Crest High School
Derby High School
Fort Scott High School
Highland Park High School (2 teams)
Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School*
Mill Valley High School
Northern Heights High School*
Northeast Magnet High School (2 teams)
Salina South High School
Seaman High School
Shawnee Heights High School
Silver Lake High School
St Mary’s High School*
Topeka High School
Topeka West High School
Washburn Rural High School
Wellington High School
West Franklin High School*
Wichita High School Northwest
Wichita South High School
Wichita Southeast High School
Wyandotte High School*
Yates Center High School*
For further information, contact:
Joy Bailes
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Telephone: 785-670-2153
Cell: 785-230-1648
Email: joy.bailes@washburn.edu
