RE students and school leaders participate in leadership conference

She spoke about the courage required to lead with integrity, the importance of engaging in difficult conversations, and the responsibility to listen to understand others' diverse perspectives. Central to her remarks was a challenge for students to use The RE Way to define their own non-negotiables, values that guide decision-making and anchor leadership in accountability and purpose. In doing so, students began to see leadership as an extension of who they are and what they stand for, closely aligned with the principles that shape the Ransom Everglades experience.

Students then traveled to the University of Miami, where the focus shifted from reflection to application. Over a series of interactive, predominantly student-led sessions, they engaged in collaborative problem-solving, case studies, and hands-on activities that emphasized the practical and ethical dimensions of leadership. RE faculty member Brandon King discussed into servant leadership, challenging students to analyze case studies on club conflict through service.

Student leaders Ana Gonzalez '26, Isla Dua '27 and Erasmos de Souza '28, guided by Chief of Innovation & Strategic Programming John King, challenged students to think critically about ethical leadership, while RE parent Flavia Tomasello with the help of Christopher Tsialas '26 and Garrett Fox '26 guided conversations on compassionate leadership. Together, these experiences reinforced that effective leadership is rooted in The RE Way.

Additional sessions focused on the mechanics of leadership, with a particular emphasis on students learning from and alongside their peers. Student leaders Luke Jaffee '26, Lina Febres '26 and Max Feldman '26 (from the Volunteer Service Club) and Marcus Tyler '26 and Paola Maynulet '26 (from RE Speech and Debate under coach Kate Hamm) worked with participants across two different sessions on how to run constructive and inclusive meetings and how to build and sustain successful clubs.

These sessions emphasized preparation, clarity of purpose and intentional facilitation, while also introducing students to the resources and structures necessary for effective organization. By sharing strategies for organizing agendas, encouraging participation and ensuring accountability, student leaders helped participants understand how to translate the aspirations for their clubs into actionable goals.

In this peer-led approach, students were encouraged to take ownership of their roles and to recognize the agency they have in shaping their organizations. The conference provided a meaningful opportunity for students to connect leadership with purpose, preparing them to contribute thoughtfully and lead with intention in the year ahead. Using the foundation of the Student Leadership Conference, RE student leaders can effect change in the RE community, Miami and around the world.