Students at Andalusia Elementary School have enjoyed the “Leader In Me” program, which is a new program that gives the students opportunities to learn what a leader is and how to put it in action in their everyday lives.

“This is a program that we are doing to give the children as many opportunities as we can to be leaders,” AES principal Alane Brunson said. “There are several different parts to the program and so far all the kids seem to really enjoy it.”

One part of the program that some of the children were working on Wednesday was called “Why are you here?” For this part, each student wrote down what he or she are at school to accomplish.

“To learn, to have fun, to be nice and to do math and reading,” said Davis Drish.

Spencer Stroud had this to say about school.

“To learn and get a good job,” Stroud said. “Learn manners and to be nice. To synergize and to make me a better person.”

Noble Bell had a similar response.

“We go to school to get an education so we can get a job and buy resources for our family,” Bell said.

Different grades were further along in the program, and the fourth graders were working on what they want to be when they grow up. This is a part of the program where the children learn to plan ahead for the future and have goals.

“When I grow up I want to be an orthodontist,” Gracie Anderson said. “I will wear scrubs. I want to inspire kids to brush and floss their teeth, and I will try not to hurt them.”

Gracie Shellhouse has dreams of becoming a marine biologist.

“I will have to go to a marine water college,” Shellhouse said. “I want to help and rescue sea animals.”

Caleb Smith wants to follow in the footsteps of a famous wildlife expert.

“I want to be a zoologist,” Smith said. “I will wear khaki and get a four-year degree. I really like reptiles, and I want to be like Steve Irwin.”

Through out the year, the children will keep progressing through the “Leader In Me” program, and continue to grow as leaders, Brunson said.