Whether moving from state to state themselves or seeing their friends move away repeatedly throughout their school years, growing up in a military community can pose unique challenges to students finding their place academically and socially.

To help bridge these social gaps between military and civilian families, the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), hosted their Spring Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program (FHSLP) at the U.S. Air Force Academy last week.

The weeklong program builds skills in personal and small-group settings to gain confidence and leadership to help grow their local Student 2 Student (S2S) programs at either the Air Force Academy or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The competitive scholarship is limited to only 10 exceptional high schoolers across the country, but this cohort features a couple of students who didn’t have to travel far.

Fountain-Fort Carson High School sophomore Syreeta Brinson and Widefield High School Junior Kayleigh Reinsch are among the recipients selected to enhance their own leadership and character through team-building exercises with fellow students, cadets and guest speakers.

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Brinson and Rinach learned about the opportunity through their schools’ respective S2S programs, which bring together military and civilian students to build connections through community service and communication.

Both come from military families, but that doesn’t mean successful applicants have a future of service themselves.

“My family does have a military history … but no,” Brinson said with a laugh. “I know how they are, and that’s not me.”

Reinsch doesn’t aspire for a military career, either, but that’s not the point of the program. Despite its initial focus as a sort of “soft landing” for incoming military students, S2S quickly proved to be effective for all students at participating schools to develop soft skills and make connections beyond their school years.

Francis Hesselbein, for example, didn’t get the leadership program named after her for any sort of military service. Rather, she was recognized as a trailblazer for her growth and expansion as the CEO for the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1976 to 1990. She was largely credited for increasing its membership diversity and overall volunteerism during this time by embracing new generations without abandoning tradition.

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work with the Girl Scouts in 1998.

MCEC President and CEO Rebecca Porter explained that S2S’ core value of acceptance has translated well over the years since it began in 2004, aiding students with everything from college prep and CTE work to their overall well-being.

“One of the things that parents might think nothing of — something like who you sit with at the lunch table for that first day — can make a big difference on the social aspect, mental health and even the academic outcome of that kid,” she said.

She also noted how the learning and social experience is often mutually beneficial, with incoming military students learning about their new communities and environments while civilian students gain perspective from their travels and experiences.

Brinson and Reinsch both were encouraged to apply for the spring program by advisers and classmates after exhibiting leadership and collaboration in their schools.

Brinson has helped fellow students overcome language barriers through a Spanish club and met with city and county officials to discuss water-conservation projects in and around Fountain. Reinsch has been involved managing multiple sports teams at her school, in addition to running for their varsity track team.

Over the week, students experienced tours of the Olympic Training Center and Air Force Academy campus before attending its Character and Leadership Symposium. Team building and communication exercises throughout the week incorporated flight simulators, escape rooms, blindfolded bowling and rock climbing.

“It’s been so great,” Reinsch said shortly after arriving. “It’s only been the first day, and I’ve already made so many friends here.”

Although neither are planning on pursuing a military career, Brinson and Reinsch agree that the program offers them an opportunity to help reach their respective goals.

Brinson plans on ultimately attending law school in California, to work either as an attorney or lobbyist with an emphasis on helping people. She hopes that her time spent this week will prepare her for advocating for popular change by continuing to bridge communication and cultural gaps between different groups of people.

Reinsch hopes to attend school somewhere in either North or South Carolina to ultimately become a teacher. She noted that students don’t always like their teachers, but that exceptional teachers can serve as leaders and role models in their lives. She mentioned her English teacher from Webster Elementary School as an example of such a person in her life.

“I want to be one of the teachers that students remember,” Reinsch said. “I’m usually pretty quiet and sort of go with the flow, so I’m hoping that this will help me become a better leader by the end.”