Chandler H.S. students get external leadership lessons

Chandler High School’s 3,000 students' concept of leadership cannot simply be a poster on a wall — leadership must be action.

The school’s six “Character Counts” traits of character development are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship, which align with CUSD’s Portrait of a Learner traits: adaptability, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, empathy and being a global citizen.

This commitment to character took center stage Feb. 3, when 40 Chandler High juniors participated in the Donna and Darnell Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy.

The one-day leadership program, hosted by The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, provided a platform for students to pause, reflect and strategize on how to make a tangible difference in their world.

The academy is a program designed to cultivate leadership, communication and civic engagement skills through immersive activities and guided reflection.

This year’s event at Chandler High School marked a significant milestone in the program’s history. For the past three years, the academy has been exclusively held on the Drake University campus; the 2026 event represented the very first time the curriculum has been delivered outside of Iowa.

There was also a personal connection. Donna and Darnell Pettengill, both Drake alumni and the program’s benefactors, have recently relocated to Arizona. Their move allowed them to be in attendance, offering them a front-row seat to see their legacy of leadership take root in a new community.

Students explored their personal leadership strengths, practiced effective communication, and worked in teams to design an Impact Project focused on making a positive difference in their school or community.

The facilitators from The Ray Center focused on the philosophy that we can “transform lives and strengthen communities” by returning to the basics of human interaction.

The training emphasized a simple truth: It is easy to do the right thing; however, “easy” does not always mean “common.”

In a high school environment, sticking to what is right requires courage. It requires a conscious decision to be nice and to ask oneself, “What can I do to treat people with respect?”

The students were tasked with creating specific community impact project proposals.

Two students, Austin and Alex, recognized that in a school of 3,000 students, effective communication is often a hurdle. If students are unaware of events, they cannot participate; if they cannot participate, they may not feel a sense of belonging.

Austin and Alex proposed a comprehensive revitalization of Student Bulletin Boards for advertising clubs, sports, even student businesses. Their proposal addresses a need for connection.

Another student, Kaylee, looked outward toward the broader Chandler community. Her community impact project proposes taking a string quartet to play in local hospitals.

The facilitators set clear expectations and ground rules immediately, utilizing positive reinforcement to build confidence.

They taught the students that an effective leader uplifts and builds deep, meaningful relationships with others.

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