The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on arts & education.  The day started at the St. Marys High School with Superintendent Harley Ramsey and Assistant Superintendent Chrissy Kuhar.  The participants rotated through 5 activities related to leadership as well as teaching them useful facts about the St Marys Area School District.  They also received a tour of the many programs the school has to offer.  The class then traveled to the CEC to learn what the CEC has to offer as well as the Dickinson Center, Northern PA Regional College, and IU9.  Lunch was sponsored by Northern PA Regional College and provided by Taco Inc.

In the afternoon participants enjoyed a creative art experience with Jesse Gradl, owner of Gallery 29.  The class used their creative energy and painted canvases using abstract painting techniques. The last part of the day was spent visiting the Footlighters of Elk County Community Theater. Alex (Fleming) Geitner and Mike Ames gave the history of the Footlighters and talked about past and upcoming performances. One participant reflected “Gallery 29 and the Footlighters are hidden gems of our community!”

The goals of Leadership Elk & Cameron are to increase community awareness and understanding, provide opportunities for collaborative leadership and relationship building, and to foster and promote civic readiness. For more information or to get involved in future Leadership Elk and Cameron sessions, please contact the CEC (814) 781-3437.

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Pic attached: Participants display their finished abstract art creations

L to R: Alex (Fleming) Geitner, Rachel Tressler, Chris Adamson, Jennifer Ingram, Sierra Himes, Tracy Crowe, Paula Meyer, Patty Becquet, Nate Sties, Fred Redden, Chelsea Nero, Frankie Schatz, and Dannielle Mason.