On the infamous day of September 11, Fossil Ridge High School students went to Loveland Laser Tag to participate in the first Leadership Summit. The event was put on by Matt Murphy, Amanda Jones, Brendan  Gallagher, Jennifer  Stewart and Melissa Vasa. These advisors invited many clubs at Fossil Ridge that help build the culture of the school, such as  Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Diversity Leadership, Yearbook, Newspaper, Ridge T.V. and Theatre. These clubs came together to create a new group, this group is known as the Culture Team.

The day was highlighted by competitive rounds of laser tag,, however, it was really all about team building and bringing students from all these different clubs together. Thoughout the morning, students participated in activities like dodge ball, rock climbing, group discussions and a ropes course. Students were not grouped with others of their choice or even members of their club, they were paired into teams with other club members to strengthen bonds for the future culture team of Fossil Ridge.

Though the day was fun, it took a serious turn. An activity led by Brad Nye really emphasized the point of the day which was leadership and unity. The activity had all the students, which was over one hundred, crouch and stay crouched. Everyone’s eyes were closed and teachers would tap shoulders of students and relieve them of their pain allowing them to stand up. When students opened their eyes most students were still crouching, these students represented those who are not involved and feel social pain or even real pain. It was an emotional moment, a physical representation of how students are blind to those around them hurting and it is the problem the Culture Team has been created to fix.

The Culture Team is now meeting to create ideas to bring the school together and bring these hurting students out of the shadows and unify the school as one big family.