Empowering Local Youth at Inaugural Shore SGA Summit

Regional students and advisors gathered for a day of mentorship, advocacy training, and community-building with collegiate leadership.

Student leadership took center stage at Washington College’s Toll Science Center on Wednesday, March 25, as the College hosted the inaugural Washington College Shore Student Government Association (SGA) Summit. Building on the success of last fall’s Mid-Atlantic Student Government Leadership Summit (MASGLS) with student governments from other colleges, this year’s summit represents a significant step in the College’s outreach to its high school neighbors, bringing together student government leaders and advisors from Kent County, St. Andrew’s, Queen Anne’s, and Gunston high schools. The students met for a day of mentorship, advocacy training, and collaborative strategic planning.  

The summit kicked off in the Litrenta Lecture Hall with a keynote panel moderated by Sarah Feyerherm, vice president of student affairs. The panel featured Michael Harvey, professor of business management; Darius Johnson ’15, Chesapeake Heartland Director; and Meghan Efland, mayor of Chestertown. During the discussion, the panelists emphasized that leadership and service are inextricably linked. Mayor Efland, who shared her journey from a high school SGA member in Queen Anne’s County to local government, noted that "to understand the voice of the community" one must be involved through service long before assuming a leadership role. 

Johnson echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his own transition from a shy student to a community leader. He advised the students on the importance of self-preservation, noting that “to be a good leader you need to know when to say no... so you can be able to show up in the best way possible.”  

Harvey challenged the students to view leadership as a dynamic tool of the group to solve problems for other people, adding that the most effective leaders "have their feet on the ground and look at the stars," maintaining a "sympathetic curiosity of others" while establishing lifelong habits of seeking the truth. 

“The SGA is committed to using our resources to better the community and establish strong relationships with our peers, both collegiate and at the high school level,” said Washington College SGA President Zachary Tipton ’27, who served as a primary organizer of the event. “We taught them the benefits of using your voice and how to leverage your position as a student to accomplish the change they want to see; and in return, they taught us to look at struggles we encounter from a new angle.” 

Following the panel, students moved into breakout sessions led by the Washington College SGA Executive Board to focus on tangible skill-building and solving challenges unique to the high school environment. High school advisors also met with college administrators to discuss best practices for supporting student agency. 

“The student participants and their advisors showed up ready to learn and work—and their enthusiasm was infectious,” said Feyerherm. “They came with ideas and vision for what they’d like to accomplish back at their schools and walked away with tangible skills that they’ll be able to apply immediately.” 

Looking ahead, the Washington College SGA aims to expand this initiative into a yearly occurrence, with the ultimate goal of hosting a comprehensive summer seminar for all Maryland high school student governments in 2027.  

To learn more about Washington College’s Student Government Association visit their webpage.  

- Dominique Ellis Falcon