Transformations aren't just for butterflies. Sofia Nolasco, an eighth grader at Col. John O. Ensor Middle School, has seen her own metamorphosis from a reticent caterpillar to a confident commander-in-chief of her student council, all thanks to the Lone Star Leadership Academy summer camps. Climbing through the ranks to become president of the council, Sofia has been consistently in the top 10 in her class and took home the gold in last year's districtwide middle school science fair with a solar robot project. But leadership isn't her only forte; she's also acing UIL competitions in math, science, and modern oratory, as per Socorro ISD.
A shining example of how targeted development opportunities can shape young minds, Sofia's story reflects the Academy's aim to nurture leaders. As she told Socorro ISD, “The Lone Star camps have helped me develop leadership skills, and they've helped me become more confident in myself.” This self-assuredness earned her September’s spotlight at the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees meeting, where she recited the Pledge of Allegiance. It's her three-year stint at the Academy's weeklong camps, reserved for the third to eighth graders who have been recognized by their teachers, that has helped shape her trajectory. The students descend upon historically rich sites like the Alamo and Texas State Capitol, but more than just sightseeing, they're embarking on a journey to leadership through hands-on stewardship exercises.
This past summer, the Austin/San Antonio edition of the camp brought new adventures for Sofia and her sibling, Isabel Nolasco, a sixth grader at Ensor. As obtained by Socorro ISD, Sofia shared about their experience, “We had to get in the mindset of a soldier back in the times of the Texas Revolution. That was really amazing,” an exercise in empathy and history that goes beyond textbooks. While the previous years at Dallas/Fort Worth included behind-the-scenes tours and deep dives into state heritage, this year's camps continued to offer unique experiences like panning for gemstones at the Natural Bridge Caverns and role-playing at historic sites.
