By Elyssa Haven

For The Newberry Observer

A Gallman Elementary School student interviews Police Chief Roy McClurkin on Leadership Day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05312.jpgA Gallman Elementary School student interviews Police Chief Roy McClurkin on Leadership Day. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Students and faculty at Gallman Elementary School greeted members of the community who came to visit on Leadership Day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05314.jpgStudents and faculty at Gallman Elementary School greeted members of the community who came to visit on Leadership Day. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Students sang songs about being a leader and about the seven habits of leadership.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05319.jpgStudents sang songs about being a leader and about the seven habits of leadership. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Guests had the opportunity to visit classrooms to see a glimpse of what students at Gallman Elementary were studying.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05322.jpgGuests had the opportunity to visit classrooms to see a glimpse of what students at Gallman Elementary were studying. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Many students dressed the part of leaders and shared their history with the community, such as this student dressed as painter, Frida Kahlo.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05324.jpgMany students dressed the part of leaders and shared their history with the community, such as this student dressed as painter, Frida Kahlo. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Student tour guides led guests around the school, showing them students’ artwork and classrooms.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05325.jpgStudent tour guides led guests around the school, showing them students’ artwork and classrooms. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Students in Mrs. Roberts’ class learned about different types of poems and shared them with the community on Leadership Day.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05327.jpgStudents in Mrs. Roberts’ class learned about different types of poems and shared them with the community on Leadership Day. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Students were proud to show the guests their hard work they had completed in the classroom.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05331.jpgStudents were proud to show the guests their hard work they had completed in the classroom. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Guests had a fun visit learning about leadership from Gallman students.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05333.jpgGuests had a fun visit learning about leadership from Gallman students. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

Police Chief Roy McClurkin poses with Gallman Elementary School students on Leadership Day on April 14.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC05311.jpgPolice Chief Roy McClurkin poses with Gallman Elementary School students on Leadership Day on April 14. Elyssa Haven | For The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — Community leaders from throughout Newberry County were given a first-hand look at the work Gallman Elementary School students are doing during Leadership Day held recently.

Guests were greeted April 14 by eager students, introducing themselves and welcoming them to their school. While on their visit, Gallman students sang songs about the seven habits of leadership – Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood, Synergize and Sharpen The Saw.

“I was very impressed with their maturity and willingness to speak with us,” said Roy McClurkin, police chief for the City of Newberry. “I think that they are awesome and have great leadership qualities.”

Student tour guides led guests around the school, showing them student classrooms and allowing them to glimpse what students had been learning. Many students also dressed the part of leaders and shared the biographies of those leaders with guests.

“I think they have bright futures ahead,” McClurkin said.

Kimberly Mack, principal at Little Mountain Elementary, said their school has also been on a journey with the book, The Leader in Me, and learning about leadership roles.

Mack said that she was so glad she made time to attend Leadership Day at Gallman and that their faculty, staff and students should be so proud of their accomplishments along that same journey.

“To see students actually grow as leaders and gain confidence in carrying on conversations with adults about personal goals and learning is incredible,” Mack said. “I was able to speak with Mr. (Bennie) Bennett as we were leaving Gallman’s Leadership Day and he took a moment to reflect on LME’s recent Leadership Day as well as all the other great things happening in our district such as Reggie Wicker and NES’s journey with ‘The 21st Century Initiative.’”

Mack said Bennett always supported the schools 100 percent by talking about how proud he was of the elementary schools and how they were working together to get students ready for college and careers.

“It is an honor to work in this district and see our students in the county grow as young leaders,” Mack said.