Legacy’s CEOs are Banking on Kindness

What’s it like to be a CEO … in elementary school? Legacy Christian Academy’s Chief Encouragement Officers (CEOs) will tell you the Valencia campus’ newest program has put them on the fast track – to kindness! “As children grow older and are exposed to contradictory qualities – like through unsavory mediated characters that champion poor behavior – positive traits can take a backseat,” says Head of School and local education expert Matt Millett. “Our CEO programming puts generosity of spirit front and center – because empathy and compassion are essential characteristics of good leadership.”
The campus-wide initiative has been incredibly well received by Legacy students. “We learn about Christ-like character traits during Chapel and ‘CEO’ is part of that,” shares Jacob Lazar, a Legacy sixth-grader. “I earned a CEO badge for helping another student on the playground. Being given the CEO badge really touched my heart because it’s a big honor. You wear the badge and everyone knows you are working on being a leader. It makes me feel important to the school.”
The CEO program not only encourages Legacy learners to give of themselves to others, but also to work on developing a leadership mindset that meets the needs of the 21st century. “We know that today’s children are inheriting a world that could benefit greatly from business owners, innovators, strategists, parents, politicians and citizens who don’t measure success exclusively by the bottom line but by how their work positively impacts people locally and globally,” shares Millett. “We want our learners to see how they can make a difference every day.”
Emmy Tohill, a Legacy fifth-grader, explains: “The CEO badge means that you help make other people’s day better. When I earned it, the badge made me want to be a better example to younger students, and it showed me what I am truly capable of.”
Legacy Christian Academy is a kinder-to-eighth private school in Valencia. 257-7377