The Brightside: next generation of leaders rise in Wicomico County Public Schools
WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Wicomico County Public Schools has launched a student-athlete leadership council. Members discussed the mission of the council and their plans for achieving it in the newest edition of The Brightside, sponsored by Choptank Electric Cooperative.
Steve Romano, Wicomico County Public Schools athletic supervisor, said, “We want our students to succeed and play at the next level. But at the same time, we’re connected to school. It’s an extension of the classroom, and we want our students to realize that sportsmanship matters, accountability matters, as well as respecting your opponent.”
Romano is helping lead the new student-athlete leadership council, which aims to address challenges that student-athletes face both on and off the field. Sixteen student-athletes—four from each Wicomico County high school—have accepted the challenge to lead by example and inspire others.
AJ Agogla, a 10th-grade basketball and baseball player, said, “I wanted to join this program because I want to become a better leader for my team at Parkside and outside, and I wanted to become a better version of myself and help the school grow and become better.”
From academic pressure to burnout and anxiety, these students are working to change the narrative. Sophomore basketball player Michael Morin has his sights set on Division I basketball.
“I’m going to do everything I can to accomplish it,” Morin said. “But I also want to inspire others to chase that goal, because a lot of people say that my dream and my goal are very far-fetched.”
As he navigates the noise of the world, Morin is focused on helping others find their own path.
“I want to inspire others to listen to themselves and actually chase the goals that people say are impossible,” he said.
Freshman multi-sport athlete Maci Funk is also stepping into a leadership role.
“I want to be a more vocal leader. I want to play the course in college. So that’s one of my big goals. But other than that, I just want to be someone people can look up to and inspire them,” Funk said.
For junior Reagan Streng, leadership means lifting up the entire team.
“I want people to know that it’s not just one person who leads. A captain doesn’t define your position on the team. We can all go to each other for leadership,” Streng said.
The council focuses on developing the next generation of driven, open-minded, and supportive athletes.
Brittany Jackson, assistant principal at Parkside High School, said, “Part of being a family is open communication and support, and I know that’s something our athletes are really trying to instill and model with each other and bring back to their programs.”
For these student-athletes, the goals are just getting started.
Funk said, “I want to go to Salisbury.”
Morin added, “I want to go to Michigan State University.”
Streng is considering something closer to home. “I’m thinking UMD,” she said.
Agogla is aiming high. “I want to play baseball at the highest level I can,” he said.
Do you have any Bright ideas? Email us at Newsroom@WMDT.com.
