When I think of transformation, my mind goes back to our second Guild Induction Ceremony for Samuel Shippee, Isabel Shippee, and my son Andrew. Family and friends came to hear about the leadership journey that they have embarked upon. They set out on this adventure when they joined RI HOPE’s very first Beginning Public Speaking Class four and a half years ago.
Recently, I asked them to recall that first meeting at my house in January 2014 when they were 10 years old.
Isabel remembers feeling very “important”.
Andrew remembers that the wood stove was making him too hot.
Sam remembers the food “Baked Ziti and Salad”.
All kidding aside, that was the beginning of an amazing expedition that they would go on together.
I can testify to seeing so much growth not only in height but in character and in the depth of their friendship. Together they have traveled many miles to and from chapter meetings and ICC training events in New Jersey and Nashville, Tennessee. They have logged over 3000 miles together on airplanes alone.
I have the distinct honor of having them on the RI HOPE Student Leadership Team since September 2017. On a weekly basis, I have the privilege of mentoring them in their communication skills as they progress toward becoming leaders with godly character who will influence their community for Christ.
On October 13th, these young leaders used the analogy of air travel. In the Institute for Cultural Communicators, chapter members start taxiing to the runway in Phase one of the Young Speakers Guild Training Series and prepared for take off as they progress through phases two and three. As they presented speech #10 Andrew, Isabel and Samuel were able to tell their stories about their leadership journey from ordinary to Extraordinary.
They are the 37th, 38th, and 39th students in the Northeastern region of the United States to be inducted into the Institute for Cultural Communicators Young Speakers Guild. Olivia Dailey was the very first from RI HOPE to be inducted in June.
Now that they have come this far on the ICC Leadership Pathway to achieved this high level of competence, they are eligible to join the Area Student Leadership Team and mentor students in our local chapter. The Guild Induction is also the gateway to traveling around the country with the ICC Ambassador Teams. We will have to wait and see where the Lord leads them from here.