October 9, 2024
Tony Goetz Students Attend Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA
MUSKOGEE, Okla. – This past weekend, a group of students from Tony Goetz Elementary attended the Ron Clark Academy’s House System Leadership Academy in Atlanta, GA—a unique experience that left a lasting impact on their confidence and understanding of leadership.
The conference offered workshops on public speaking, conflict resolution, and collaboration. Students were constantly challenged to step outside their comfort zones, turning their nervousness into confidence and leadership skills.
For Tony Goetz, the journey to Atlanta was rooted in the school's five-house system—modeled after RCA’s own. Each house is named after qualities like Courage (Isibindi), Kindness (Nukumori), Friendship (Amistad), Giving (Altruismo), and Dreaming (Reveur), providing students with a sense of purpose, belonging, and pride.
Reflecting on their experiences, students shared how the weekend helped them grow their confidence and motivation. Fifth-grader Jhor'Dyn Birmingham was particularly inspired by his time with Ron Clark: “He showed us how to stand in front of people and own it. I don’t feel so nervous about public speaking anymore.” Abigail Bales also learned valuable skills, stating, “Ron Clark taught us how to capture people’s attention. I can’t wait to try it back home!”
Iker Garcia and Alexandra McKinney enjoyed the Survivor-style puzzles that emphasized teamwork and quick thinking. “We had to work together to solve challenges, and it was exciting to see our ideas come to life,” they said. Robert Kennedy appreciated the supportive environment, explaining, “Nobody cared if you looked like you were being a goofball. People wanted to be friends more if you were a goofball.”
None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Tony Goetz PTO and the Muskogee community. Creative fundraisers like House Showcase Night, Break a Rule Week, and the Skip the Line Raffle brought in the support needed to make this experience a reality.
The students returned from Atlanta full of ideas for their school. Kyle Taylor summed up the experience, sharing that “RCA taught us to be ourselves and have fun doing it. We’re ready to bring that spirit back to Tony Goetz!”