Huntington, IN — On August 14th, Huntington North High School hosted the first meeting of the year for "That Viking Thing," a student leadership group led by Mayor Richard Strick. Now in its second year, the initiative, which began in the 2023-2024 school year, aims to empower students to take on leadership roles within their school and community, promoting advocacy and civic engagement among the youth.
Mayor Strick opened the meeting by encouraging the students to reflect on their experiences across various stages of their education—from grade school to high school—and consider how they can influence positive change. He acknowledged the unique challenges of bringing together a large and diverse group of students, many of whom may not yet know each other well. To address this, the meeting included introductions and ice-breaking activities to help the group form a cohesive unit.
Drawing from his personal experiences, Mayor Strick emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration. He shared how his own small-town background taught him the value of community and how these lessons could be applied within the larger context of Huntington North. He outlined the natural phases any new group undergoes—forming, storming, norming, and performing—and assured the students that these stages are vital to their success as a team.
A central theme of the discussion was leadership. Mayor Strick challenged the students to rethink traditional notions of leadership, which often emphasize hierarchy. Instead, he encouraged them to adopt a more inclusive approach, where leaders walk alongside their peers, fostering collaboration rather than dictating from above. "Leadership is about management of self before it's about management of others," he explained, urging students to act with integrity and contribute to the success of their organization from wherever they stand.
Mayor Strick also highlighted the practical aspects of the group's mission. Students were urged to identify the priorities within their school community, advocate on behalf of their classmates, and focus on tangible outcomes. The group's budget, drawn from local income taxes, will be managed transparently, with guidance from local government to ensure proper allocation.
In addition to setting the agenda for the meeting, Mayor Strick introduced the idea of student-led governance within the group. He announced that future meetings would be run by the elected president of "That Viking Thing," who would also serve as a non-voting member on the city council, representing the group's interests.
As the meeting continued, Elizabeth, the Administrative Assistant, introduced the roles of the other officers, including the vice president and secretary. She explained the responsibilities tied to these positions, noting that the vice president would step in to run meetings if the president were unavailable due to city council commitments.
Before concluding, Mayor Strick shared the historical inspiration behind the group's name, "That Viking Thing." He explained that Viking societies, despite their reputation for raiding and warfare, were highly democratic. When faced with significant challenges, they would gather in assemblies called "things" to deliberate and decide on the best course of action. This tradition of democratic decision-making is the foundation upon which "That Viking Thing" is built, symbolizing the group's commitment to collective leadership and problem-solving.
As the group embarks on its second year, the students of "That Viking Thing" are poised to make a lasting impact on their school and community, guided by the principles of leadership, collaboration, and democratic engagement.