Royse City ISD empowers student leaders through “Leadworthy Local” event

Nicki Cooper, Melissa Liebrum, Melanie Acker- Executive Director of Counseling, Leadworthy Teachers: Clay Lawrence, Amanda Palamore, Shaun Amador and Superintendent, Dr. Amy Anderson

Royse City, TX (January 22, 2026) – Royse City ISD continues to solidify its commitment to student character and connection by hosting a Leadworthy Local event, bringing together over 60 middle and high school students for a high-energy day of leadership development and community service.

At the core of every Royse City ISD classroom is Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH). This relational framework is not a program; it is the foundation of the district’s culture. By prioritizing healthy relationships and wellbeing, CKH creates an environment where students feel safe, seen, and valued.

When teachers “capture the hearts” of their students, they pave the way for academic excellence and personal growth.

Building upon this foundation, the Leadworthy Local event provided a unique opportunity for students currently enrolled in Leadworthy courses to put their skills into practice. The one-day summit was designed to push students beyond their comfort zones through:

• Hands-On Team Building: Dynamic games that required instant communication and trust.
• Personal Development: Activities focused on self-reflection and identifying individual leadership styles.
• Skill Mastery: Group lessons centered on critical thinking, problem-solving, and the art of collaboration.

At the event, students worked in teams to identify needs within their school community and then developed actionable solutions to address them. This “service-first” approach ensures that leadership is more than a title; it is a commitment to making Royse City ISD a better place for everyone.

“Our goal is to graduate students who are not only academically prepared, but are also people of high character,” said Melanie Acker, Executive Director of Counseling & Cultural Development. “Seeing these students collaborate on service projects proves that when you capture a student’s heart, there is no limit to what they can achieve for their community.”

Press release submitted by April Soderquist, Royse City ISD, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Photos courtesy of Royse City ISD.

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