In the beginning of gym classes, they can often be seen setting up for the day’s activities—leading warm-ups or interacting with teachers and students. While these students do a lot for gym classes, not many people know who they are or the things they do to help out the school outside of gym classes.
Cardozo Leaders is one of the many programs offered by Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, but it does not get nearly as much recognition as the other programs. Many students aren’t aware of the responsibilities and exciting events the Leaders program has to offer, or the benefits of becoming a Cardozo Leader. In order to promote the program and encourage more students to join, we interviewed Ivy Varrichio, a junior who is currently one of two secretaries for the program, in order to learn more about the hardworking program.
“Leaders is a program that trains students to, as the name suggests, be leaders both for gym classes and in life,” explained Varrichio. “It gives you opportunities to gain service credits from teachers and from events attended. ”
Obviously, such a program has many responsibilities. Varrichio shared, “Leaders are responsible for taking attendance in gym classes, setting up equipment, leading stretches, and helping out gym teachers. Each term, Leaders are also expected to get at least 2 event credits.”
To become a Leader students must go through a term-long training process, where they are required to teach peers different sports along with learning the sports themselves, which is a very unique experience compared to other gym classes, Varrichio even said the LIT (leaders in training) process to be one of their favorite memories of leaders.
“I liked the leaders in training process and when my classmates taught the class. It’s not everyday you get to be a gym teacher for a week and LIT allows you to do that,” she shared. When asked about any further requirements to join the program, Varrichio explained further, “Most Leaders play a sport at Cardozo, and are recommended by coaches or physical education teachers, but the only things you need to be a good leader is dedication and integrity.”
While the program might seem a little intimidating, it is a lot of fun. The program provides a chance to make many enjoyable memories and experiences. Leaders provides many fun events for members to participate in for event credit, such as helping out in college fair, luncheons, cheering on Cardozo’s many sports teams and much more. Like Arista, Leaders has a student-run board that tries to make the program as enjoyable as possible.
“We want to plan fun events for the school year to make leaders and leaders in training excited to complete their event requirements,” Varrichio states. “We also want to have a great dinner at the end of the year.”
For those who are debating on joining the program, Varrichio says, “I think that Leaders is very worth it to join, especially if you’re athletic. Everyone in Leaders is kind and helpful and the end-of-year dinner we have is a great way to celebrate all the hard work put in during the school year.”
