SDHSAA Student Council Regional Workshop

Student Lead Breakout - SDHSAA - Fall 2024

Designed and written by Adrienne Bulinski

Contact info: ab@adriennebulinski.com 720.289.8829

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Stage Notes:

Supplies needed: recipe cards (provided by Adrienne) and pens/pencils/markers/something to write with (provided by students)

Person One: In charge of keeping the room focused and moving forward. When the leaders need everyone’s attention it is your responsibility to get everyone’s attention and focus. This is why the hand dance is important from the beginning (you will learn the “hand dance” during the zoom session). Lead with enthusiasm and confidence. Let the room know exactly what you want, how you want it, and when you want it.

Person Two: In charge of organizing zoom and/or in-person practice sessions.

Person Three: In charge of any minor alterations of script and making sure everyone on your team has the most up-to-date script. You are also responsible for confirming all materials are ready to go prior to 8:30 a.m. the morning of your session.

Person Four: In charge of drama! During the introduction you are melodramatic. This is your opportunity to be a very annoyed teenager. It is important to showcase insecurity in a dramatic way so when you showcase confidence as the contrast you can clearly see the difference.

***It is imperative you practice, practice, PRACTICE, and understand this workshop inside and out - both individually and as a group. If you are not at the same school Person Two is in charge of organizing zoom practice sessions. You will absolutely have nervous energy during this session and it is practice that helps you lead with confidence. Expect things to happen that you were not prepared for… this is why it is important to understand this workshop inside/out.

***You will not have a microphone. Project, project, PROJECT! Speak slower not faster.

Time frame:

10:10-11 a.m.: Breakout Session *start session no later than 10:20

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Script

*For a color-coded PDF script CLICK HERE

**For a color-coded Word Doc Script CLICK HERE

Introduction of workshop leaders and attention-getting activity (5-6 minutes)

All leaders hand dance to get everyone's attention. Keep doing it until the room catches on. If they don’t join in, ask them to join in. Teach the room. (If you don’t like the hand dance, come up with your own attention getter that involves everyone).

Once everyone is participating…

Person one: Last Time! (or gesture to the room to stop). Have a seat.

Now that we have your attention. I would like to introduce myself as one of your workshop leaders.

Introduction formula: Name. Something that helps you remember your name. School. School chant/interesting tid-bit.

My name is Adrienne. For all you Rocky fans you can call me "Yo Adrienne". I'm from Ralston Valley. Roar. Go Cats!

Person Two: Hi my name is “Matt”. I’m a person, not the thing that lays in front of the door. I’m from LuHi. Purple, Purple, Purple, Grey, Grey Grey!

Person Three: Hi my name is Jasmin… sing “a whole new world, a new fantastic point of view.” I’m from Valor. Go Eagles!

Person Four: My name is Alex, like Alexander The Great. I’m from Rocky Ford High School. If you eat cantaloupe then we probably grew it in my town. Go Meloneers!

Person One: Throughout this workshop if we need to get your attention we will start the hand dance (start the hand dance) and that is your cue to join in and QUIT TALKING.

Practice the hand dance to get everyone’s attention.

Person one: Last Time! (or gesture to the room to stop). Very nice! Okay Matt I think they’ve got it. Over to you.

Person Two: One of the things Adrienne talked about at the very beginning of her keynote were the excuses people have for not living their dreams. She said 43% of people who don’t achieve their dreams felt they didn’t have the talent, opportunity, or resources. Adrienne assured us we can develop our talent by developing our skills, find opportunities through education, and meet the right people who have the resources. Meeting the right people comes through our network of connections. During this session we are going to focus on connections. Say connections.

Group response: Connections

Person Three: Who can finish this statement: It's not always what you know but (point at the group > can the group fill in the end of the phrase?) who you know! The very people in this room will play a role in our lives as we go out and pursue our dreams. So let’s start building connections, meet new friends, and find more awesome people to do life with.

Person Four: annoyed and melodramatic, insecure, nervous, trying not to be noticed, look at your phone at least once. Does this mean we are going to do super awkward activities to force us to meet new people?

Person One: With a smile and kind of annoying YES!

Person Four: Very dramatic and with closed off body language Ugh, it's so uncomfortable to meet new people.

Person three to Person Four: Alex, how old do you think you are going to live?

Person Four: Confused. huh?

Person Three: How old do you think you are going to live?

Person Four: Ummm…. A hundred.

Person Three: How old are you now?

Person Four: Still confused. Sixteen.

Person Three: That means you have 84 more years of life. Are you going to spend the next 84 years hating the process or are you going to be uncomfortable now and realize it is actually not that bad and it can be fun.

Person Four: Big sigh. Ok. I’ll meet new people.

Person Three: We have an opportunity to work out the uncomfortable right here, right now and develop skills that will serve us for the next eight decades! Ask the room: If you can learn some valuable skills in minutes that will help you for decades, don’t you think we should learn them? (get an answer from the room)

First Impressions

By a show of hands how many of you think first impressions are important when it comes to making new connections? (Wait for a response from the room)

I do too! Now, let me ask you, what kind of first impression is Alex giving us?

(Person Three take charge in generating crowd feedback)

Person Four: Continue the melodramatics of insecurity, annoyed, nervous, trying not to be noticed, look at your phone at least once.

Person Two: How can we alter Alex’s stance, facial expression, and actions to give a good first impression? How do we make Alex more approachable?

Person Three take charge in generating crowd feedback

Person Four: alter expression and stance to match crowd input. Overdo all your actions.

Person One: Two things we have full control over is our attitude and our effort. Say attitude (attitude). Say effort (effort).

Person Three: It’s really easy to judge others. Like we are judging Alex. Now we are going to look at ourselves.

Activity One (2-3 minutes)

Person Four (read these prompts): With your new/refined first impression lead the entire group through this exercise. Close your eyes. Pause. I want you to picture your own face. Pause. Is it happy, sad, scared, or open to meeting others? Pause. How do you want to portray yourself? Pause. Fix your face. Pause. Picture your face in a way that portrays what you want to be, not necessarily what you are feeling. Pause. Are you energetic? Reserved? Friendly? Do you have RBF or are you approachable? Picture your face. Pause. With your eyes still closed observe the rest of your body. Pause. What is your body language saying? Are your arms crossed or are you open to meeting new people? Pause. Are you slouching or standing proud? What kind of person do you want to portray? Picture your whole self.

Now open your eyes.

Remember, you get to choose your facial expressions and body language.

Activity Two (13-17 minutes)

Person One: Over enthusiastic and excited with a loud voice Let’s mingle!

Person Two: Even with the right body language meeting new people can be awkward and uncomfortable. For the rest of our lives we can either be uncomfortable or we can teach each other how to become rock stars at networking. For this activity everyone needs a recipe card and something to write with.

Person three & person four make sure everyone has materials. Do not continue until everyone has paper and a pen.

Person One: We will meet new people the rest of our lives. The secret to being liked is listening. A great listener can prompt really great questions. Once you ask the question all you have to do is listen. It’s not rocket science.

Person Two: On the recipe card we want you to write two interesting questions. Avoid questions like “how long have you been a part of student council?” or “what is your favorite class?” or “what is your favorite food?” Those are boring.

Ask more thoughtful questions that make an impression like “What impact do you want to make on the world before you die?” or “What invention do you hope we see in our lifetime?” or “What is a random act of kindness you could do for others outside your family and friends?”

Person One: Come up with two thought provoking questions that you would actually like to hear the answers to. We are going to give you about one minute to write down your questions. Ready? Begin.

Person three: time the 60 seconds.

There shouldn’t be much time for chatter but if it starts and you need to capture everyone’s attention then that is Person One’s cue for the hand dance!

Person One: Do you have your questions? Wait for response.

Person Two: In a moment we are going to dismiss you to mingle. Your job is to find someone you don’t know and take turns asking your questions and LISTENING to the answers. When you are done switch cards with your partner and then find a new partner. Ask the NEW partner the set of questions on your NEW card.

Person Two to Person One: What is the universal hand signal for “I need a new partner”?

Person two: raise your hand

Person Two to Person One: Amazing demonstration! If you find yourself without a partner, raise your hand and find another person with their hand in the air. It's really that simple. We are going to give you about four minutes. Find a partner, ask your questions, switch cards, and then find a new partner. Repeat the process as many times as time allows. Remember to listen!

Raise your hand if you need a partner.

Begin!

Person three: Time the activity. Four minutes.

Person one: hand dance to get everyone’s attention.

Person One: Ask the crowd for at least two people to share their favorite questions. At this point no one has their original card. That is great. Put it in your pocket. Now you have more question ideas.

Activity Three (12-15 minutes)

Person Three: There is more to people in this room than being a part of the student council. There is more to all of us. Relationships are about getting to know one another.

Person Four: At this time I want you to find a new partner. Find someone you have never met before. Hey Person One what is the universal sign for “I need a partner.”

Person One: raise your hand.

Person Four: Find your new partner. Go!

If this causes a lot of conversation Person One can pull the attention back with the hand dance.

With your new partner go ahead and introduce yourself and let your partner know what school you go to.

If this causes a lot of conversation Person One can pull the attention back with the hand dance.

Person Three: With your new partner you are going to teach a skill and learn a skill. Each of you will have two minutes to teach the other person your skill. Your skill can be a break dance move, a cheer routine, or a foreign language phrase, whatever you come up with. Get creative. Take a second and get a skill you can teach in two minutes or less into your head. Pause for people to think. Read the room and when everyone seems ready continue.

Person Four: The first person gets two minutes, at the end of the two minutes, you will hear this sound

Person One & Two: make a Whoop-Whoop sound that is loud and obnoxious (needs to be loud enough that an entire room can hear you without a microphone)

Person Four: that is your cue to switch who is teaching the skill. Here we go… 3, 2, 1, begin.

Person One & Two: Time two minutes. Whoop whoop for the change. Time two more minutes.

Person One: hand dance to get everyone’s attention.

Person Three & Four: Group discussion. What did you learn? Ask the crowd for at least two people to share a skill they learned from their partner. If it is a cheer ask them to do the cheer. If it is a recipe ask them to repeat it, etc. Ask the room if they listened well or if that is a skill they can further develop?

Person Three: As we build our relationships it is those people we call on for help for ideas on problem solving or referrals for awesome adventures. For example, if I'm planning a rafting trip I'm going to pick my friends first. If I’m going to refer someone for an awesome opportunity I’m going to pick from my friend network first. Always look for ways to make new connections and strengthen the connections with those you already have.

Activity Four (Bonus) (6-9 minutes)

Person One: If you want new connections to last you have to go the extra mile.

Person Two: For our final activity each person needs a piece of paper and something to write with.

Person 1, 2, 3, and 4: pass out paper and pens

Person Two: I want you to write this information on your piece of paper.

Name:

Birthday:

School:

Email:

If you have social media what is your favorite platform?

What is your social media handle?

Phone number:

Once you notice everyone is done filling out their information…

Person One: It's time to find a new partner. What is the universal sign for “I need a new partner”?

All leaders raise their hands.

Person One: Find your new partner. Go!

If this causes a lot of conversation Person One can pull the attention back with the hand dance.

Person Two: Building relationships takes time, energy, effort, and investment. Building relationships starts with remembering birthdays, sending a christmas card, and touching base to say hi for no reason.

Trade your paper with your new partner and introduce yourself to one another. Go!

Give time for introductions. If this causes a lot of conversation Person One can pull the attention back with the hand dance.

Person Three: For the remainder of this school year we are challenging you to build a connection with this partner. Your job is to reach out to them AT LEAST FIVE TIMES before the end of the school year.

Person Four: You can start with a “nice to meet you text” by the end of this week!

Person Two: Put your person’s birthday in your google calendar and then wish them a happy birthday.

Person One: Ask your mom for an extra christmas card and send it to your new connection.

Person Three: Make sure you say “hi” to your person at the state convention!

Person Four: Take a picture together. Get creative. The depth of your connection network is up to you!

Person One: Take the last few minutes we have together to ask each other an interesting question or teach each other a skill. Get to know one another.

Allow time to get to know one another before Person One calls the group back together with the hand dance.

Capture a group photo of your workshop and tag @AdrienneBulinski and SDHSAA!

Customize your thank yous and dismiss.