Quest leadership was initiated in 2004 to help young women develop five basic skills necessary for ethical leadership. Quest is a collaborative endeavor between the King Foundation and Assumption High School, Holy Cross High School, Mercy Academy, Presentation Academy and Sacred Heart Academy.
The one week leadership program is conducted during the summer. Participants are rising high school juniors. Quest participants are taught how to break out of their comfort zone, collaborate with others, appreciate ambiguity, live with integrity and build balance in their lives. The goal of Quest is to introduce young women to our nations’ important social institutions and to use that experience as an opportunity to teach ethical leadership and its importance to our community, country and the world.
Collaboration
During the week-long program participants in the Quest program complete a high ropes course to focus on collaboration, team building and expanding their comfort zones. The Quest leaders learn that by working together and combining the different strengths and abilities of others, they can accomplish far more than working alone.
Expanding Our Comfort Zone
The most serious impediment to being a leader is self-imposed! Most people are afraid. They are afraid to break out of their comfort zone, afraid to fail and afraid they might look silly. As a result, they miss out on much of the challenge, reward and joy that life offers.
Quest leaders learn that it is natural to experience fear but facts, not fear, determine whether a leader follows a particular course. Pictured below and on the next page are the new leaders expanding their comfort zone.
"Double clicking " on the thumbnail photos below will allow you to view them as full screen photographs.
Conquering The Pole
Learning What A Judge Does
Integrity
To learn about integrity and what happens in its absence, the students are introduced to the criminal justice system. They visit the Jefferson County Judicial Center, the Hall of Justice, and the Metro Corrections Department. The Quest leaders get an opportunity to spend the morning with one of a number of Jefferson Circuit Judges and see what unfolds in the courtroom during a typical day. They accompany prosecutors and defense counsel as each fulfills her or his role. Afterward, a two-hour visit to the Jefferson County Jail challenges the new leader's preconceived views. The morning is "capped off" with an introduction to jail house cuisine, a vegetable "bologna" sandwich.
Ambiguity
Because few things in life are completely "good" or "bad", an appreciation for ambiguity is essential for a leader. Quest provides its emerging leaders with "media day", focusing on the ambiguity associated with the goal of fair and responsible reporting in the print and electronic news. Quest leaders meet and listen to newspaper writers, newscasters, news producers and attorneys specializing in the issues affecting a free press. The students take part in a spirited discussion and for the first time learn in depth about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the six different protections it offers all Americans. Do you know these six different freedoms?
Balance
Even if we are willing to expand our comfort zone, work collaboratively, live a life of integrity and appreciate ambiguity, there is still one more quality we must possess to live a meaningful, joyful life. Balance! Balance is the glue that holds everything together! During the last day of Quest the participants hear from women leaders who share their experiences balancing life's many demands.
