LA PUENTE, CA – A circle of six high school leadership students volleyed a bag stuffed with five air-filled balloons to each other until a fist-sized balloon filled with bleach was added to the mix, sinking the bag and making the game suddenly difficult – illustrating how a little negativity spoils everyone’s efforts.

Roddy Layton, a Pomona Unified School District administrator, led the exercise for students from Bassett High and five other area high schools during the Miramonte League Leadership Symposium at Bassett High on Nov. 9.

“Never let negativity interfere with your overall goal to push your events to the next level,” Layton said. “You always want to set the standard for your class, to inspire your classmates to realize they are part of something special, which can never be topped.”

More than 300 Associated Student Body leaders from Bassett and five other schools attended the symposium, discussing how to help peers get the most out of their academic experience and connect students with extracurricular activities that produce high-school defining memories.

“It means a lot to meet with our peers from other schools and talk about our shared experiences and how we can work together to solve problems,” Bassett High senior and ASB vice president Marly Cueto said. “Hearing everybody’s ideas brings us all together. It’s a lot of fun and very beneficial.”

The ASB leaders broke into seven separate groups and rotated between sessions on school activities that require planning and coordination – prom, graduation, yearbook, pep rallies and establishing new traditions – as well as speaking with professionals from the fields of event planning, memorabilia and motivational materials.

A select group of 34 Miramonte League ASB Executive Board representatives – among them ASB presidents, vice presidents and treasurers – met to brainstorm ideas on how to increase school spirit and reduce indifference within the student body.

“These opportunities allow our students to connect with others outside of their boundaries to work toward the common goal of providing a better school experience for their friends and peers,” Bassett Unified Interim Superintendent Debra French said. “Thank you to all the Miramonte League leaders who participated and shared your ideas and passion to create memorable experiences.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

120517_BASSETT_LEADERSHIP1: More than 300 Associated Student Body leaders from Bassett High and five other schools attended the Miramonte League Leadership Symposium at Bassett High on Nov. 9.

120517_BASSETT_LEADERSHIP2: A circle of high school leadership students volley a bag stuffed with five air-filled balloons and a fist-sized balloon filled with bleach, illustrating how a little negativity spoils everyone’s efforts. Students participated in activities and discussions to strengthen student involvement in school activities at the Miramonte League Leadership Symposium at Bassett High on Nov. 9.