Last summer a group of Norwich students tackled Whiteface during a four-day leadership and character development retreat in the Adirondacks. Now, in conjunction with Student Government, those students are tackling an even bigger challenge – improving the culture and climate at their school.

“This journey has made a huge difference in my life. It changed my whole life around,” explained Tony Loscavio, as he and five other student leaders addressed the Norwich City School Board on Feb. 24.

Each of the students – Loscavio, Casey Edwards, Matt Crush, Patrick Bankich, Alison Brown and Richie Bonney – shared personal experiences to illustrate how the program has impacted their lives. However it is not what these students have taken away from their experience personally which is most impressive, but rather how committed they are to using what they have learned to effect change at their school.