Story 65 - Priceless Years, Priceless Preteen
Since 2003, almost 2,000 outstanding 5th graders from across the Lincoln community have been impacted by NHRI’s mission and philosophy, but it’s not through the powerful mentoring relationships that we’re known for. Every summer, approximately 90 incoming middle schoolers receive leadership lessons that closely model the NHRI class taken by incoming mentors.
2004 - 20 years ago!
Front Row - Dr. Hastings standing on the far left and Dr. Bath on the far right
Born out of the drive to develop positive leaders capable of navigating some of the toughest years of development, the Preteen Leadership Institute (PLI), formerly Priceless Preteen Institute (PPI), seeks to equip these emerging leaders with the skills and knowledge to step into their own strengths and abilities to create positive change for themselves and those around them. A true commitment to seeing the Ripple Effect in action!
In 2003, Dr. Susan (Sue) Bath was hired to be NHRI’s Associate Director. She and Jan Kauffman developed a new summer preteen leadership camp called the Priceless Preteen Leadership Program, drawing from the Priceless People curriculum. In July of 2003, approximately 50 selected preteens from the Lincoln area were invited to the University to participate in the inaugural weeklong camp. Since then, two camps have been offered in Lincoln every summer. Thus, in 2003, NHRI launched its inaugural Priceless Preteen Leadership Program, with the name inspired by Dr. Dodge’s Priceless People book.
“We asked our first group of 22 kids to come up with a motto for the class. They selected, ‘Changing Our Community One Leader At A Time!’ (acronym is CHOCOLATE!) Some of the feedback that we received from parents during and following the program led us to conclude that our program was making a positive difference with transitioning their child to middle school, and their children were helping others to have better experiences at school, activities and within their families. They were taking what they learned and applying it every day, creating a true ripple effect.”
Sue was then offered a position with Gallup in 2005. Lindsay Hastings was hired January, 2006, and had been closely involved with the rural expansion of Priceless Preteen and, at the time, was finishing her Masters degree in Leadership Education. At one time, Priceless Preteen expanded to West Point, Nebraska in 2005 and to Wahoo, Nebraska in 2008.
Dr. Lindsay Hastings, NHRI’s current Research Director, took part in the initial conversations. “We had been hearing from our junior counselors that middle school was the toughest time for them to live out their leadership potential as exercising their leadership often involved doing things that were unpopular. It’s unpopular to stand up for the kid who gets picked on, and it’s even more unpopular to invite the kid who gets picked on to join you at the lunch table. It’s unpopular to have friends in lots of different social circles. One of our board members at the time, Dr. Barb Jacobson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Lincoln Public Schools – confirmed what our junior counselors were saying and encouraged NHRI to think about expanding its footprint by developing a leadership development program, modeled after the NHRI Class, for incoming middle school student leaders.”
“I was invited in as an incoming 6th grader and then got to reinvest back into the next year’s 6th graders as a Junior TA which was really cool. It was really rewarding to take concepts I had learned from NHRI and implement them in other contexts and with some people who hadn’t heard of NHRI before. PLI teaches concepts and lessons that will help kids through a stressful transition and then be able to impact those around them.”
Kynlie Simpson at PLI in 2015
The week is as fun as it is educational. Every young leader looks forward to theme days, team building, and games. NHRI is dedicated to seeing our reach go farther than the exceptional college mentoring relationships. And the reach hasn’t stayed local. Communities across Nebraska have benefited from the curriculum through partnerships with Nebraska 4-H and the Village Foundation.
Two long-time PLI teaching assistants shared moments of impact also. Both of whom are now educators in Lincoln Public Schools!
“PLI provides middle schoolers the environment to explore leadership concepts, to discover what shapes who they are as leaders through their values and strengths, and to reflect on how they can make an immediate impact in their communities. It’s been an honor leading groups of PLI scholars as they make connections with one another, work together to practice leadership skills, and have fun while learning!”
Rachel second from right, at PLI in 2021
“PLI for me has been a highlight of the summer. I enjoy being in a room with such enthusiastic leaders and future leaders. My favorite experience is seeing the ‘aha’ moments and looks on their faces when they hear and know they are leaders. Leaders are not just adults. Leaders can start at a young age. Working in a school setting in Lincoln I can see the work PLI and NHRI Leadership Mentoring has on the community as a whole. The work cannot be done without the awesomeness of these young leaders!”
Griffin leading a discussion at PLI in 2024
FAQ: What is the nomination and selection process?
Each elementary school principal in Lincoln receives a letter with information about PLI and is asked to nominate 5th-grade student leaders. Families who decide to accept their nomination register to attend PLI. If a family worries about the financial cost, the Village Foundation generously provides scholarships. To date, the Village Foundation has provided 100+ scholarships for students to attend PLI free of charge.
