Leadership is part of everyday school life at Andersen Elementary. Students have opportunities to build confidence, find their voice, and contribute to their school community. Students lead through Student Council, classroom ambassador roles, and school activities and traditions. 

Student Council members represent their classmates, take on campus responsibilities, and help lead Flag Deck each week. For fifth grader Revi Huenefeld, who serves as Sergeant at Arms, leadership starts with how you carry yourself.

“We are demonstrating readiness, respectfulness, being responsible, and having integrity to always do the right thing,” Revi said.

Leadership takes different forms across campus. On Business Day, students become entrepreneurs, deciding what to sell, how to market it, and what to charge. Taste of the States, the Talent Show, and the school play give students additional opportunities to collaborate, communicate, and perform.

These experiences connect to NMUSD’s Strategic Plan, which calls on students to question boldly, think critically, communicate powerfully, and lead with empathy and confidence. 

“When students are given opportunities to contribute, they discover their strengths, learn that their voice matters, and see how they can make a positive difference,” Principal Tiffany Lewis said. 

Former Andersen students Davis Jubitz and Ava Greer recently returned to campus for Flag Deck, helping lead an activity they once participated in as Andersen students.

For Davis, now a seventh grader at Corona del Mar Middle School and an ASB member, coming back brought her full circle.

As a kindergartner, Davis was paired with a sixth-grade buddy who spent time with her throughout the year. She still remembers her buddy handing her a stuffed bear she had earned and thinking, “I want to be just like her.”

Years later, Davis was elected to Student Council and became one of those students.

“I knew that I had a lot to learn if I was going to be a good leader,” Davis said. “I needed to be the kind of person that younger students could look up to.”

Ava, now a freshman at Corona del Mar High School, returned to find that a tradition she started at Andersen was still going.

As a sixth grader, Ava created Collecting Kindness, which recognizes staff members nominated by students for their contributions to the school community.

“I can’t believe that my idea has continued and created a ripple effect,” Ava said.

Their experiences show how early opportunities to lead can stay with students as they grow. 

“You can be the quiet one and still be a leader,” Davis said. “Being a leader isn’t always about being in front; it’s being the person every day who wants to make a difference.”

At Andersen, today's younger student may one day become the person someone else looks up to.