Culpeper, VA — Students from Pearl Sample Elementary School’s “Leaders of the Pack” leadership group joined forces with Eastern View High School’s Student Council Association (SCA) on Monday, March 31, 2025 for a dynamic day of learning, inspiration, and connection at a special Leadership Conference hosted at EVHS.
The idea for the conference began earlier this school year when Pearl Sample Elementary (PSES) Principal Dan Birch asked members of the Leaders of the Pack what they wanted to do next. They said that they wanted to learn more about leadership. Birch reached out to Dr. Nate Bopp, Principal at Eastern View High School, and a collaborative vision quickly took shape. On Monday morning, the young students traveled to EVHS along with Mr. Birch and Mrs. Sublett.
The conference kicked off with an icebreaker activity that got students laughing and engaged, setting the tone for a day filled with meaningful conversations and fun experiences. Together, the younger and older student leaders explored key questions such as “What defines a leader?” and “How can you be a leader outside of Leaders of the Pack?”
EVHS SCA members shared insights into their leadership processes, including goal setting and annual planning strategies. Junior Izzy Brown emphasized the importance of teamwork, telling the elementary students, “This is a big group but everyone is important, everyone has a role, everyone can have a task.”
SCA President and senior Abby Brown highlighted the significance of giving back to the community. She offered examples of EVHS service projects and presented the elementary students with bags of books to share with their peers at Pearl Sample as a service project.
To bring energy and joy to the group, senior Ardarian Diamond led a spirited sing-along that had everyone smiling and singing together, Mr. Birch and Mrs. Sublett both joined the sing-along. The day concluded with group activities that included a school tour and a hands-on tie-dye project, offering students time to connect in smaller, mixed-age teams.
Pearl Sample students left inspired and enthusiastic. Fourth-grade student Meredith Davis said she learned more about how to be a helpful leader. “I like being a Leader of the Pack because of all the fun meetings and fun field trips,” she shared. “We help clean up and we help other people that need help.”
Second-grade student August Headley reflected on his own leadership journey: “I’ve learned how to be a better leader and a better role model and what it would be like when I go to Eastern View, if I’m on a leadership team.” His favorite thing about being a leader of the pack? “You can go with other leaders and meet people who can teach you how to be a better person and a better leader.”
The event exemplified the power of cross-grade collaboration, mentorship, and the positive ripple effect that strong student leaders can create across the Culpeper County Public Schools community.
