SALISBURY — As part of its strategic mission to develop leaders and stewards of the community, Salisbury Academy, through its Broyhill Leadership Scholarship program, provided scholarships for nine students from Rowan-Salisbury high schools to attend this year’s five-day Broyhill Leadership Conference.

Broyhill Scholar Nick Austin, a junior at Salisbury High School, shared that his biggest takeaways included learning social skills to prevent and handle difficult situations.

“It was helpful to be in a great collegiate atmosphere and to experience what it’s like interacting in a diverse group of people,” said Austin.

The diversity of the group of young leaders made an impression on Spencer Everhart as well. A sophomore at North Rowan High School, Everhart enjoyed the small group break-outs and the friendships that resulted from them.

“I made good friends from lots of different schools who I can network with in the future,” said Everhart.

Other key focuses of the conference were problem solving, critical thinking and goal setting.

“After writing our short- and long-term goals, we talked about how we would achieve our goals,” said Everhart. “This made me more aware of what I want to do in my life, and the time frame in which I want to do it,” he said.

Scholarship funds are raised in part through Salisbury Academy’s corporate partners, and through the school’s annual spring gala that this year was held at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Salisbury Academy has provided the Broyhill Leadership Scholarship, an opportunity which sends local students in the 10th to 12th grades to the Broyhill Leadership Conference each summer. Applications are sent to all of the Rowan-Salisbury high schools. Some students are nominated by their guidance counselors while other students apply on their own.

“Investing in our future leaders is one of Salisbury Academy’s greatest priorities,” said Beverly Fowler, head of school. “It is an honor to help launch these talented young individuals into the next steps of their journeys.”

Much like the other Broyhill Scholars, Everhart has big plans for how he will use his new knowledge and leadership skills.

“I plan to use what I have learned at Broyhill to help me in the student government association, the Key Club, and both in the classroom and on the field,” said Everhart.

Salisbury Academy would like to thank our Corporate Partners who helped to make the Salisbury Academy Broyhill Leadership Scholarship a reality. For a full list of Salisbury Academy’s Corporate Partners, please visit http://www.salisburyacademy.org/support-sa/corporate-partnership.cfm.