Grayslake Central and North student leaders recently attended the Northern Lake County Conference (NLCC) Leadership Conference, where they joined peers from across the region to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose.
This year’s keynote speaker, Johan Khalilian, set the tone with a powerful message: lead with authenticity and be the best version of yourself. His words resonated deeply with students, igniting meaningful conversations that carried throughout the day’s sessions.
One standout session, Collaboration = Success, left a lasting impact on both campuses. “Students left with clear action steps and were energized about involving more groups in events,” said Dianna Repp, Student Life Coordinator at Central. Nikki Kirchway, Student Life Coordinator at North, added, “They loved connecting with students across the conference; it helped them realize the great things happening in other schools and sparked new ideas.”
Throughout the day, students engaged with peers from districts they often view as rivals, instead finding common ground and a shared passion for leadership. “It was amazing to see their growth,” Kirchway noted. “By the end of the day, you could feel the trust forming and see genuine excitement to bring fresh ideas home.”
At Grayslake Central, students are planning ways to boost participation in the schoolwide food drive, ensuring every club and team has an opportunity to participate. Meanwhile, North students are focused on inclusion, finding ways to bring more voices to the table, and encouraging collaboration among clubs. North’s HUG (Human Understanding Group) group also brought back new strategies to enhance Freshman Knights Block.
Repp emphasized the broader impact: “These experiences show students that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. They come back more confident, more collaborative, and more invested in their school community.”
Kirchway agrees: “Opportunities like this are essential. They help shape a positive school culture and remind students that their voice, and how they use it, matters.”