News 1 Center - Rep. Noem Talks Leadership with South Dakota High School Students

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By D Kidd

South Dakota students are learning what it means to be a leader.

U.S. Representative Kristi Noem spoke with high school students from across the state Wednesday afternoon at the second annual Lead Now! Youth Leadership Conference held at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Rapid City Mayor Sam Kooiker kicked off the event, and students had a chance to hear from some other notable speakers as well. Speakers included Mrs. South Dakota International 2015 Shirlene Hagler, President of Black Hills State University Dr. Tom Jackson Jr., and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology President Dr. Heather Wilson.

Representative Noem says these events are important for the development of today's youth. "Today's conference has been a great opportunity for us to get some of our high school students to think about leadership in a different way. I think most of them believe that sometime in the future they'll be asked to fill some kind of leadership role, when maybe they don't realize that could be today - that they could be a leader right in their own community. They can serve other people, and even amongst their friends and family that there's leadership activities that they can be part of and really make a big difference in people's lives," said Noem.

Dr. Wilson says these events are a great way for youth to hear how leaders in their community got their start. She says it shows just how broad the possibilities are for their future. Wilson said, "Most of these students are leaders in their high schools but they don't...haven't always had the opportunity to interact with and hear from senior leaders in the community, whether it's Congresswoman Noem, or President Jackson from Black Hills State, or other business leaders in the community. It's an opportunity for them to hear: alright how did you get to do what you're doing? What's my path and how big can I dream?"
The conference had students from 18 different schools in attendance. Congresswoman Noem says she hopes students walk away knowing that failing is just one step closer to success.

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