For Immediate Release from LEAD4CHANGE Executive Director John Hamilton
April 23, 2025 – Tonganoxie, KS — A team of three students from Tonganoxie High School, known as FCCLA Community Safety, has been recognized for their outstanding leadership and commitment to community well-being through the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program. Guided by adviser Heather DeMaranville, the team developed and executed a comprehensive project aimed at reducing preventable injuries at home and in the community.
The students learned that, according to the National Safety Council, an estimated 175,300 preventable injury-related deaths occur each year in homes and communities. Motivated by this staggering statistic, they set an ambitious goal: to educate 500 people on practical ways to make their homes and communities safer. Their vision was clear—empower families with knowledge, preparation, and action plans to create lasting change.
To achieve this, the team designed a series of targeted initiatives. They conducted a home and community safety presentation for younger students at a local elementary school, created a video showcasing ways to improve home safety, and developed emergency planning folders for families. Additionally, they distributed bicycle helmets donated by community partner Safe Kids and assembled safety bags for teen drivers. They also partnered with organizations like Poison Control and Teens in the Driver Seat to gather additional educational resources and materials.
Their collective efforts paid off, with the team reaching over 1,000 individuals:
647 high school students participated in safe driving education sessions
100 safety bags were distributed to teen drivers
267 kindergarten and first-grade students received home and community safety training
50 bicycle helmets were distributed to young students
Reflecting on the experience, one student shared:
"Participating in the Lead4Change program has been a transformative experience that has challenged me to grow as both a leader and a team player. At the start of this project, I wasn't sure how much of an impact we could make, but as we progressed, I saw firsthand how small actions can lead to meaningful change."
In recognition of their remarkable impact, Lead4Change awarded the team a $7,000 grant. The funding will allow FCCLA Community Safety to continue and expand their efforts, creating weather emergency packs, fire safety resources, and first aid kits to further equip students and families with the tools and knowledge needed to stay safe.
Their project stands as a powerful example of how youth leadership and service-learning can spark real change, making homes and communities safer for everyone.
About Lead4Change:
Lead4Change is a free student leadership program that helps students realize that their life matters and that they can make a difference in their community. This program helps unlock the unique gifts of each student to create real, lasting change in their school and communities. Since its inception in 2012, over 2 million students and educators have participated in the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program, creating meaningful change in schools and communities nationwide. This program, powered by David Novak Leadership, is the largest privately funded student leadership program in the country.
About David Novak Leadership:
David Novak Leadership, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) private operating foundation whose mission is to make the world a better place by developing better leaders at every stage of life. They believe that everyone has the potential to be a great leader, no matter what age, background, career, or ambition, and that everyone should have access to quality leadership development—despite financial circumstances.
In addition to Lead4Change, David Novak Leadership provides free leadership training to students and professionals through their other programs: Global Game Changers, The Novak Leadership Institute at the University of Missouri, and How Leaders Lead.