The Lion Leader program is undergoing changes this year as six new faculty members are taking over advisory roles.

The new leaders of the program are science teacher Ms. Melissa Beam, Latin teacher Ms. Laura Briscoe, Theology teachers Mr. JT Gilbert and Ms. Melissa Ginther, and Counselors Mrs. Jenniffer Kapp and Mrs. Arline Umpierre.

According to Mrs. Umpierre, Lion Leaders is “our highest leadership program at St. Pius X,” and its purpose is to “support the integration of incoming students into the mission and vision of St. Pius X Catholic High School.”

Established in 2007, the program trains rising juniors and seniors to help welcome incoming freshman as they adjust to a brand new school.

Mrs. Kapp said that this year, while to core of the program remains the same, the advisers want to add a fresh perspective to the group’s mission and identity.

“[There will be] a little bit more structure, a little bit less assignments and responsibilities [because] they’re going to be paired down a bit, and the things that [the program will] have to do will be a little bit more purposeful and timely,” Mrs. Kapp explained.

Simply put, “The structure is going to be different with a different intent,” she said.

Mrs. Umpierre said that the new program leaders “hope that with [their] guidance, the leadership [aspect] of the program can become more intentional and that student leaders are able to develop ‘soft skills’ that are so valuable in college and and the workforce,” adding that “with six members, students will always have a go-to person they can reach out to.”

The faculty are still transitioning into their new positions in the Lion Leader program and are “currently evaluating all functions and tasks and determining how to split responsibilities,” Mrs. Umpierre said.

However, she is confident that “the selected [student] Lion Leaders will represent the best of SPX and have clear expectations of what their roles are.”

The advisers said that Lion Leader applicants will be  notified this Friday, February 15, and training will begin shortly after.