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Jacinda Hustoft, a senior at Luverne High School, learned leadership styles could apply to characters from the children’s story, “Winnie the Pooh.”
The daughter of Brad Hustoft, Luverne, and Shawn Hustoft, Brandon, South Dakota, saw herself in the tail-bouncing Tigger.
“I am kind of bouncy and full of energy,” she said.
Hustoft was one of eight incoming high school seniors from the region selected to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Award in Halsey, Nebraska, this summer.
The camp focuses on bettering future leaders from northeast Nebraska, South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota, who make up District 5610.
Hustoft was the only Minnesota camper at the July 18-22, 2018, event and the first youth sponsored by the Luverne Rotary Club.
Hustoft shared her experience at the Luverne Rotary Club meeting in January.
Karen Willers is Rotary president.
“I think everybody left the meeting that day feeling renewed and energized, and feeling that our youth, like Jacinda, will take good care of our community,” she said.
Attending the camp appealed to Hustoft’s desire for fun and continued learning during the summer. Previously she attended business and Bible camps.
“I liked the leadership component,” Hustoft said as to why she applied.
The camp guest speaker likened leadership styles to different characters from the “Winnie the Pooh” story by author A. A. Milne.
“We learned how to use these skills as leaders ... and how to make a team work,” she said.
Their new knowledge allowed campers to match tasks to personality styles during a challenge olympics.
Visualizing her teammates as Tiggers, Poohs, Eeyores or Piglets made the challenge less of a challenge.
“It did make sense,” she said.
Due to her positive experience, Hustoft is planning to apply to return to the camp as a youth counselor this summer.
Besides a better understanding of leadership and personality traits, Hustoft made new friends and tried zip lining and walking a tightrope.
“You make a lot of good connections and have a lot of different experiences,” she said. “I hope other kids apply for camp.”
Willers said camp applications will be taken later this spring. For more information watch the Luverne MN Rotary Club on Facebook or contact Willers at 507-227-3097.