What is a "Student Leader"?

A student leader is a student who:

embraces the campaign & energizes fellow participants

takes the lead tirelessly offers his/her time and talent

participates in and/or organizes most CHAMPS functions

A student leader's work goes above and beyond the contributions of other students!

Shelby Howard (CHAMPS Texas) is the President of Interact Club at The Woodlands High School.  She was instrumental in the planning and execution of the entire CHAMPS campaign.

The campaign's main fundraiser, a schoolwide dog walk ("Laps for Lives") was Shelby's idea. She even created the official poster used to advertise the event to the greater Houston area!

Billy Furay, the Vice-President of the Council for International Affairs, was a vital part of the planning and executive committees. His group took the initial steps to get The Woodlands High School involved with CHAMPS.

The two worked together seamlessly, engaging elementary and intermediate students in the local area to promote awareness of the mine dog campaign.

Shelby and Billy are headed to Texas A&M University, where they will continue their passion for helping to make the world a better place.

"The project would not have been the success it was without the dedication and perseverance of these two student leaders."

-- Susan Hollier, The Woodlands High School Faculty Mentor for CHAMPS

We Recognize Our Student Leaders!

Chosen as the Student Leader of 2009, Kirsten Parkinson (CHAMPS Connecticut) traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Marshall Legacy Institute's annual Clearing the Path Gala in October.

Kirsten received the CHAMPS Award from CHAMPS Patron Joan Wismer, on behalf of her community. The day after the gala, Kirsten attended a special CHAMPS Workshop.

This bright young girl has also traveled to Bosnia with CHAMPS Director, Kimberly McCasland and supported a young survivor after organizing a fundraising Dive-a-Thon. 

Some Students Do It All Themselves:

Perfect Example: Chelsea Fernandes (CHAMPS Massachusetts) is another great student leader.  CHAMPS gave a presentation to her school and when the teachers decided they wouldn’t take on the project because of other commitments, Chelsea decided to go it alone.  She gave presentations to schools, classes, civic organizations and basically anyone who would listen to her.  She did fundraisers (K-9 Walk, raffles etc.) and raised $10,000 alone!  A local citizen in the community fell in love with her inspirational story and generously gave her the other $10,000 needed to sponsor "Hadley" the mine-detection dogs training.  She's inspired people to action and she also traveled to the Washington, DC gala and the CHAMPS Workshop. She received only the 2nd Emerging Global Leader (EGL) Award ever to be awarded.  

We Recognize Our Independent Leaders, Too!

Chelsea traveled to Greenwich with CHAMPS Director, Kimberly McCasland to do a presention to a group of adults and kids.  She was interviewed by a film crew with Time-Warner for a TV program called “Teen Kid News” broadcast to over 200 TV Stations around the country!  

She traveled to Bosnia as well and continues to work with Kimberly on various projects as  they come up!