Hutchison Beach Elementary earns ‘Legacy School' recognition
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Hutchison Beach Elementary is now one of 21 schools worldwide to reach 'Legacy school' status by the Leader in Me program. They have been working for 12 years to reach legacy status.
To become a legacy, the school must exhibit growth in academic performance, leadership development, and positive school culture.
Their mission is to continue cultivating community leaders.
'It's about leadership skills that will carry you through life. And it's about making eye contact and shaking hands and showing the community that I might be ten years old or five years old, but I'm a leader and I'm going to lead my own legacy,' Hutchison Beach Elementary School Principal Glenda Nouskhajian said.
The program also teaches students life skills, like time management.
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'I put first things first and do my homework before I go play. Now we actually take those outside of our home, and like we can synergize maybe and work together on something,' Hutchison Beach Elementary 5th grade student Ben Nelson said.
As part of the program, students participate in four service projects throughout the school year. They also host a leadership day, guiding visitors on a tour around the school.
The Leader in Me program model focuses on the eight habits of a leader.
'Being a leader means to me, just following the eight habits, being respectful, and definitely having confidence. Also, doing things without someone watching. So integrity is a big role that you need to have,' Hutchison Beach Elementary 5th grade student Penelope Prekop said.
The goal is to have students apply those skills after Elementary School.
'These are great skills that are going to make these two and all of our Leader in Me students absolute successes. We're building the future one student at a time, and it starts right here with the Leader in Me,' Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen said.
Several other Bay District schools are also following the Leader in Me program. Leader in Me officials will visit Hutchison Beach Elementary in August.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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