Last week I received the following email from Mary Lynn Epps, a newly appointed Vice Principal at Dover Bay Secondary School.

"Recently, I had the opportunity to accompany a group of approximately 45 students, from Dover Bay's Student Council, on an overnight retreat at Camp Quanoes in Croften. Here, I witnessed a group of teens that demonstrated the kind of superior leadership skills found in every Neighbourhood Hero.

"Like all healthy teenagers they were full of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. Most of them knew very little about each other before the retreat, except that they shared a common vision to supporting their school and community environment in fun and positive ways.

"The students participated in several activities that fostered the four C's of leadership: courage, control, confidence and compassion. They danced, sang, swam (yes, they did a polar bear swim), and played. They challenged their minds and cultivated teamwork skills. Finally they planned and laid the groundwork for the year ahead.

"Two students, Courtenay Crucil and Tory Nash, demonstrated amazing maturity, responsibility and initiative. I have never seen young people lead a group in such an organized, positive, and inclusionary way. Needless to say Courtenay is the President of Student Council and Tory is the CEO.

"It goes without saying that behind every group of amazing students, you'll find amazing educational leaders. Ms. Laura Harrison and Ms. Michelle Mazzarotto proactively sponsor this group and set standards and expectations of social responsibility within the school and community.

"If you visit Dover Bay on any Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. you will witness the group organizing their fundraising events that fund various community groups like: The United Way, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Food Bank. Each event meets the criteria of fun. That is why they have approximately 70 students involved in Student Council from Grades 8 to 12."

As regular readers of this column know, I hold today's youth in high regard, so after reading Mary Lynn's email, I immediately arranged to meet Courtenay and Tory.

When I was in school running for student council was a popularity contest. Courtenay and Tory quickly made me aware that that's no longer the case at Dover and a growing number of other high schools.

At Dover any student who is interested in making a difference in the school and community is invited to become part of the student council -- 82 turned out to the last meeting. Those that are interested in executive position collect letters of reference from students and teachers and then go through an interview process with administrators, teachers and student representatives. I'm told a position is found for most if not all of those that are interviewed.

The student council president is elected from the executive group with all who come to student council meetings voting. The president is always a Grade 11 student and they become CEO the next year.

Today's students are definitely a lot more mature than I and my friends were and they also have much better time management and organizational skills.

As well as being student council president, Courtenay plays field hockey and soccer, maintains an honour role status, holds down a part time job, and is totally committed to making a difference in her school and community. Tory has a similar schedule and commitment.

Before I left them both Courtenay and Tory pointed out that there are many other students in today's high schools who are equally capable as they and equally committed to making a difference in their schools and the world.

When it comes to future leadership in our community and country, I suspect the Courtenays and Torys of the world will do a better job of it than we are doing ... and on the whole, we're not doing all that badly.

To nominate a Neighbourhood Hero or to read old columns, go to www.nhero.org.