By LEE G. HEALY
lee.healy@shj.com
Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009

Photo by Mike Bonner, Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Student leaders from across the state gathered Wednesday to join hands on various Spartanburg community-service projects.

The projects are part of a weeklong Milliken/Wofford Summer Leadership Institute being attended by 36 rising high school seniors from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. The 12th annual institute is aimed at introducing students to the principles of leadership and team building, principles they can carry with them back to their schools and later into their careers.

Most of the students' day Wednesday was spent working with four community programs -- SOAR Academy, The Haven, the Soup Kitchen and the Cancer Association.

At The Haven, a shelter for women and families, students made repairs to the playground, handicap ramp and fence, and they installed planters and a sand box. Trash cans were replaced, and toys were cleaned.

"They've increased the level of safety we have for our children, and they've beautified it," said Cindi Goodin, director of The Haven.

"I think it's a wonderful program altogether. It not only encourages leadership skills, but it gets them out into the community where they can see what their leadership and their productivity impacts. They can see first-hand the issues that face the community and make a positive impact."

Students participating in the institute said they learned how to work as a team and be creative.

"It's practical skills that you would need later in life," said Brittany Campbell, a rising senior at Clinton High School.

The institute is based on leadership training courses offered to Milliken associates.

"You go somewhere and want to make a difference, and you want to keep coming back," said Nicole Rogers, with corporate learning and development at Milliken, "It's to teach them how to take being a leader and service back to their community."

In addition to community-service projects, students participated in activities such as team building, problem solving, presentation skills, creativity, entrepreneurship and manufacturing-plant tours.

At the close of the camp Friday, students will present their projects to Milliken CEO Roger Milliken and Wofford President Benjamin Dunlap.