When Brilliant Pathways Program Director Chris Mazzella asked a group of 20 ninth graders to place their hands on their heads if they saw themselves as strong leaders, only two responded. After a moment of hesitation, a few more followed suit.

The students, from Boquet Valley Central School, had come to Brilliant Pathways headquarters in Essex on a mild late-winter morning to explore the Essential Skills crucial for success in college and careers—leadership being a key component.

On that March day, leadership was in the air, but it had yet to fully take hold. “If you believe you’re a leader, your hand should go up without hesitation,” Chris told them. Those who waited to follow others still had room to grow

Brilliant Pathways empowers students to develop leadership skills and the confidence to use them. Through a series of engaging and interactive exercises, Boquet Valley students also learned other Essential Skills—goal setting, agility, teamwork, perseverance, and networking.

One challenge required students to work together to achieve a common goal. Each team held strings attached to a lasso that they had to manipulate to stack Solo cups into a pyramid. Success depended on precision, coordination, and equal effort from every participant.

When asked which skill was essential for the task, students answered without hesitation: teamwork. “If I had asked you to put your hand on your head if you knew the definition of teamwork, no one would have hesitated,” Chris pointed out. “Everyone understands teamwork—it’s about working together toward a common goal.”

Leadership, however, is harder to define. Many students struggle with the concept because they see leadership as simply holding power. “Some people demand authority and think that makes them leaders, but true leadership is about lifting others up,” Chris explained.

Unfortunately, leadership is sometimes mistaken for dominance. “There are people who believe they are leaders because they talk down to others, marginalizing them based on disability, religion, or race,” Chris said. “That’s not leadership. Leadership is about inclusion and support.”

Chris encouraged students to start their leadership journey by challenging themselves—stepping out of their comfort zones, tackling difficult coursework, and embracing new experiences. Leadership also means listening to others because, as Chris put it, “You never know who might be the smartest person in the room.” True leaders, no matter how accomplished, always take the time to lift others up.

By the end of the day, Chris inspired students to cultivate a culture of leadership at Boquet Valley—one where every student strives to be their best and has access to every opportunity. “We can create a leadership action plan where every student feels empowered,” he said. “Because that’s what leadership is.”

Thanks to CFES and its partnership with Boquet Valley, leadership—like spring—was on its way.