In October, Lockhart Power made a donation to support the Leader in Me program at Foster Park Elementary School, an initiative focused on developing leadership skills in students and strengthening the school’s connection to the community. A $500 contribution was presented by Andrena Powell-Baker, Senior Manager of Community Relations and Development at Lockhart Power, and accepted by Principal, Dr. Fran Adams, Assistant Principal, Dr. Kathryn Sommer-Gough, and Guidance Counselor Brian Larimer, who guide the program at Foster Park.
The Leader in Me program emphasizes early leadership development, helping students build skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication—qualities that are increasingly important both in the classroom and beyond. The initiative supports academic growth while also encouraging students to see themselves as capable contributors and leaders.
Foster Park Elementary was the first school in Union County to adopt Leader in Me, with additional schools following in subsequent years. The program is grounded in principles from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, reinforcing habits that promote responsibility, goal-setting, teamwork, and continuous improvement.During the visit, students Kylie Knox, Jaydence Briggs, and Nala Sartor shared how they apply the seven habits in their daily school experience. Jaydence noted that one of the program’s strengths is its ability to create leadership opportunities for more students, which encourages participation and engagement across the school. Through programs like Leader in Me, Foster Park Elementary continues to focus on developing confident students equipped with skills that extend well beyond the classroom and could be transformational for Union County.