Wayzata, Orono Students Attend Honeywell Leadership Academy at U.S. Space Center

Honeywell announced last week that 227 students from around the world—including four from Wayzata High School—attended this year's Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy (HLCA). The scholarship program uses interactive technology and science-oriented workshops and team exercises to teach children of Honeywell employees between the ages of 16-18 leadership skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Wayzata High School students selected: 

• Madeline Orzeske
• Christopher Leppla 
• Jeffrey Xu
• Anisha Dharnipragada

Additionally, Austin Taylor—who lives in Wayzata and attends Orono High School—was selected to be part of a new component this year called the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy Ambassadors (HLCAA) program.  Throughout the HLCAA program the Ambassadors will be assigned responsibilities that encourage development of critical leadership and communication skills both among their peer group, and in a professional business setting. 

As a return student from last year’s HLCA program, Austin will work with all student participants throughout the week by helping them during activities. This peer-to-peer leadership role allows Ambassadors to master their own skills in communication, team trust and cohesion, purposeful leadership, critical thinking, and integrated planning.

Honeywell ran the HLCA over two consecutive week-long programs from February 23 to March 8, 2013, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.

“We are pleased to select another impressive group of students to the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy,” said Tom Buckmaster, president, Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the corporate citizenship organization. “Our goal is to continue to develop a new generation of leaders, engineers, and scientists who can address the challenges of tomorrow.  What better way than to offer this exciting opportunity to these exceptional students.”

Activities will be delivered in fun and innovative ways that bring STEM studies to life. The students will meet scientists, engineers and former astronauts, who help reinforce core leadership competencies and share their first-hand professional experiences.  Students also will engage in interactive challenges such as designing, building and testing their own rockets; participating in simulated astronaut training, shuttle missions and a moon walk; and conducting DNA extraction experiments on fruit.  To familiarize themselves with the program and other participants, students can access an online HLCA social media community site before, during, and after the program.

This year, the students come from 30 countries and 26 U.S. states and territories.

“HLCA was such a great experience for me,” said Christy Czarnecki, a 2011 HLCA scholarship recipient and 2012 HLCA Alumni Ambassador from New Jersey.  “It reinforced my leadership skills and was the reason why I decided to major in engineering at Clemson University.”

Since its launch in 2010, Honeywell, in partnership with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, has awarded more than 850 scholarships to students after a rigorous application and review processes based on academic achievement and community involvement.  All junior and senior level high school children of full-time Honeywell employees are eligible to apply.  Financial contributions from Honeywell employees help fund the scholarships, including tuition, meals, accommodations and program materials.

“Honeywell continues to be an industry leader when it comes to promoting STEM educational programs for children around the world,” said Dr. Deborah Barnhart, executive director and CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.  “The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is proud to work with Honeywell on this program and we are honored to prepare the young people entrusted to us with leadership skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.”

For more information about the program, visit http://leadership.honeywell.com/.