With books in hand and LEGO bricks in tow, students at Lincoln-King High School are proving that leadership is more than just a title – it’s action, service, and heart.
As participants in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a national leadership program focused on making an impact through service, these students launched a hands-on community project in partnership with Builder Bunch, an organization that uses LEGO-based STEM activities to teach collaboration and problem-solving.
Their mission was twofold: to build bridges—both literally, with LEGO sets, and figuratively, by forming meaningful connections with younger students in the Cornerstone network.
After receiving training in STEM activities from David Williams of Builder Bunch, the LKHS team visited our elementary schools, where they worked with students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Together, they built LEGO bridges and explored teamwork challenges and design experiments.
Following the activities, Porter Ravenell, a senior at LKHS, took time to interview some of the younger students.
“It was a great experience engaging with the kids and seeing them enjoy themselves,” Ravenell said. “It’s important to give back to the youth and to let them know we care about them.”
Watch the students working together here
Sponsored by Chick-fil-A of Shelby Township and its Owner-Operator Dennis Sampler, Lincoln-King High School first joined the Leader Academy during the 2021–22 school year. At the kickoff event, Sampler encouraged students to embrace growth and risk.
“Failure can be a great teacher,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to fail. Be curious, be coachable, and try new things.”
Throughout the year, students participate in monthly Leader Labs, which build core leadership competencies. Topics include:
- Vision & Influence – Identifying what kind of leader you want to be
- Communication – Learning how to speak with clarity and listen with purpose
- Servant Leadership – Leading by lifting others up
- Innovation – Using creativity to solve real-world problems
- Teamwork – Learning to lead and follow in group settings
- Impact – Putting leadership into action through service projects
Teacher Renate Matthews, who facilitates the program, said the experience gives students the chance to lead in real ways. “They’re not just learning about leadership—they’re doing it,” she said. “They’re out in the community making a real impact.”
One Million Books
Each year, more than 35,000 Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students nationwide participate in the One Million Book Giveaway, a campaign to distribute one million books to children across the country.
As part of this initiative, the LKHS team received books from Chick-fil-A, Inc., carefully packaged them, and brought them along on their elementary school visits. In addition to the LEGO activities, the high schoolers read to students in kindergarten through third grade and left each child with a book to take home – a lasting gift of literacy and encouragement.
“Seeing the smiles on their faces while we were building the LEGO track, and seeing them so engaged as we read to them – it was great,” Ravenell said. “Giving back and letting them know we care is what this is all about.”
These young leaders may have worked with LEGO pieces, but what they really built were connections that will stand the test of time.