Something remarkable happened Thursday in Estherville.
Over 1,400 Estherville Lincoln Central students were challenged to use their own unique genius to change the world.
It was all a part of the Choose2Matter program led by Angela Maiers, Iowa native, educator and speaker who offered a resounding program of inspiration and empowerment.
After presentations Thursday morning, students met in groups to discuss three questions:
n What matters most to you, and why?
n What breaks your heart about it?
n What are WE going to do about it?
After "heartbreak mapping" sessions by grade level, students discussed topics such as education, the environment/animal rights, health and wellness and social justice/human rights.
Students when worked on action plans on how to resolve problems, followed by a closing assembly.
The concept of empowerment is not new to education. Socrates did it (and was forced to drink hemlock for corrupting Athenian youth). Artists in the Renaissance did it and so did the poets of the Romantic era.
What's significant about empowering students in groups, though, is that they're able to share and build on each other's energy, creating something larger than themselves - a vision, if you will, that's far greater than anything they ever imagined before.
This was an important program, one that will no doubt influence a lot of ELC students for a very long time - some for the rest of their lives.
Empowerment means giving power to others, giving them the tools to change their lives and the lives of others - and just about always, for the better.
It's a way of thinking that's outside the box, above the milling crowd, if you will, offering a unique perspective.
Maybe we should all try thinking that way.
It just might help us solve the world's problems.