Clifton's Charlotte Seid traveled to Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts on Sept. 30 to participate in a four-day leadership program to receive guidance in becoming a leader.
The Take the Lead program brings in 40 high school junior girls from all over the country to help them realize their potential as change agents. It takes girls who have ideas for making the world a better place, and sets them up with mentors who have similar goals and ideas. Charlotte hopes to execute a plan on water conservation — educating elementary school children on the importance of water and how to protect it.
"[Charlotte] is a great leader, but more than that, she has a beautiful character, that is why I nominated her," said Jan Taylor, guidance counselor.
The 16-year-old junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is the daughter of Dr. William and Susan Seid.
During the four-day conference, the girls also attend workshops that teach them how to make their dreams a reality. At the end of the conference, the girls are required to prepare a three-minute presentation on their plan of action and how to get people to contribute. By the time they return home, they are armed with skills that will help them execute their plan for change.
"It is so inspiring to see so many young women wanting to make a difference," said Patricia VandenBerg, Take the Lead director.
At school, Charlotte is involved in Girls of Technology: Math and Science. During the past two years, she has been a leader for the program, organizing many of the events.
"I have been working with Charlotte for two years, and there is nothing that she won't do to help," said Sandra Connelly, a Girls of Technology sponsor and school guidance counselor.
The Girls of Technology program is a mentoring program partnered with area elementary and junior high schools to assist the students with math and science projects.
"Charlotte is a top notch student and a wonderful person," said Connelly.
With the help of the mentor, the girls come up with ideas that they can use to bring about social, environmental, and political change in their communities. The mentors assist the girls in developing a plan for creating programs and support them as they carry the plans out.