Several Ottumwa High School athletes attended the 2016 Pursuing Victory With Honor Summit at Iowa State University on Tuesday.
Students were selected based on their leadership skills in a variety of sports. “This summit provided a good opportunity to reinforce what it means to be a leader,” said Mike Egbert, district athletic director.
Students participated in three breakout sessions to build leadership skills like toughness, integrity, and communication.
Senior Ryley Robinson thought the trip was beneficial. A swimmer and tennis player, he defines pursuing victory with honor as “completing a goal the right way, hitting all the valleys and tops of the mountains to hit the goal you’ve been chasing.”
The sessions helped to define “what I need to be to be a leader,” said Robinson. The sessions also challenged the students to step up and promote positive attitudes in their school.
“There was a lot to take away,” he said. “Keeping kids involved in activities at the high school is important.” Robinson felt that if more leadership roles were incorporated, it would impact participation rates. “I think if students can see what they can do as a leader, they will start going out for more activities.”
He has experience chasing his own goals. As a sophomore, he hoped to swim the 100 meter breast stroke under 1:10. “I didn’t reach that goal until the end of my junior year,” he said.
Students who attended include: AJ Nelson, Madison Whylie, Kaylee Glasgow, Kyley Robinson, Jenelson Caro Lopez, Jaylan Joes, Dillon Berg, Ibeth Rivera, and Andrew Curran.
