In March, students at the Joliet Job Corps Center will elect new members to the Student Government Association.

To commemorate the end of the current leadership’s six-month term in office, the members and Thanesha Sorrells, the Peer Leadership Coordinator, recently enjoyed lunch at Joliet’s Golden Corral restaurant.

During the afternoon outing, the students shared the stories of their leadership journey. SGA Vice President Imani Bridges talked about how she lost and gained friends while serving. The experience taught her to value true friendships, she said.

Jabez Brown talked about how difficult it was for him to redirect his peers as President of the Peer Mediators. He learned that consistency, honesty and integrity were some of the keys qualities required to earn respect.

SGA President Elia Kernell talked about some of the mistakes she made while in office and how some of them seemed to be magnified because of her role in student government.

Left to right: SGA President Elia Kernell, Chief Justice Leianna Sullivan, Vice President Imani Bridges, Sergeant-at-Arms Jabez Brown, Peer Leadership Coordinator Thanesha Sorrells, Treasurer Chrishawnda James and Secretary Nanika Cross

Despite the challenges, the students said they would not have missed the experience for the world.