Three Oaks Leadership Club, shaping future leaders

ABOVE: Some Leadership Club members and their sponsors, Lindsay Parker and Gena Ross, from Three Oaks Middle School wait for children to be paired off with during the Dyer County Fair. [Click to enlarge]

Wednesday was Special Needs Kids Day at the Dyer County Fair.

Special-needs children from Dyer and Lake County got to come to the Dyer County Fair and ride the rides and see the exhibits for free.

With cloudy skies and a chance of showers lingering, it was still not enough to damper their spirits.

ABOVE: Three admirable members (yellow shirts) of the Three Oaks Middle School Leadership Club pose with their cute buddies: Ashley, Angel and Ashley from Newbern Grammar School. [Click to enlarge]

Although these children came to have fun, a certain group of students from Three Oaks Middle School came to work. However, it was work they had been looking forward to all year.

Smaller children, needing assistance, were paired off with members from Three Oaks Middle School Leadership Club.

The smiles of enjoyment, on the faces of both the Leadership Club members and the children, were priceless.

Club members wore yellow shirts, so they were easily recognizable.

Lindsay Parker and Gena Ross are the sponsors of the Leadership Club.

"The club came and helped the children last year during the event, and they all begged to come back and have the opportunity to do it again this year," Parker said. "It's about giving back to the community."

The club consists of 32 members and not just anyone can join. Each student must be recommended by a teacher to gain admission into its ranks.

The members also participate in other charitable events throughout the year, including the Farmer's Banquet.

If students of this caliber are our future leaders, there can be no doubt that this world will be a better place to live.