A project currently under way at the Lawrence Alternative High School is a great example of leadership at work in our community.

As part of the Leadership Lawrence program, class members are split into groups that complete community projects that benefit children and youth. One of the projects undertaken by this year’s class was an outdoor classroom and lunchroom for LAHS featured in Wednesday’s Journal-World.

Six members of the Leadership Lawrence class were given $500 from the Kansas Health Foundation, but after finding it wasn’t enough to complete their ambitious goal, they raised another $5,000 in donated time and materials to finish the job. Students also have gotten involved in a landscaping project funded by a $600 grant from Wal-Mart’s environmental stewardship program.

Three other groups of Leadership Lawrence class members completed projects with Achievement Place for Boys, Achievement Place for Girls and the Villages. The goal of the projects is not just to give money to an agency, but to work with a group to determine a need and then try to fill it.

The real test of leadership is being able to put it to work to help others. The projects completed by members of this year’s Leadership Lawrence class are a great example of turning leadership into action.