BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The gym in Natcher Elementary was electrifying and packed Tuesday as students and staff celebrated a unique honor. 

What You Need To Know

  • Natcher Elementary received the Legacy Award

  • Kentucky’s first Legacy School was recognized for strong leadership fostered by the “Leader in Me” initiative

  • They are one of only 14 schools in the world to earn this award

The Warren County elementary school was recognized as a the first Legacy School in the state –  celebrating the school’s initiative of strong leadership fostered by the seven habits of the ‘Leader in Me’ initiative. 

“The seven habits aren’t just things to utilize in school, they’re things that they want to stick with you the rest of your life,” said Samuel Dame, a sixth-grade student ambassador. “They want it to stick with you, make an impression on you.”

Those habits are influenced by the book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” 

They include putting work first, then play—and to understand, then to be understood. 

The model focuses on emotional and social development and finding the genius in each child. 

“‘Leader in Me’ is all about that student empowerment and giving them the confidence to be leaders [so] they’re leaders of their own academic progress as well,” Natcher Elementary Principal Matt Thornhill said. “And through goal setting, they’re able to track their own progress and know, ‘Hey, I can do this and I can contribute, not only academically but culturally in my school,’ making it a positive school culture.”

The school is one of just 14 in the world to receive this recognition—the highest honor for ‘Leader in Me’ schools. 

It’s something Thornhill hopes will help bring other schools in the state on board. 

“When I think of legacy, leaving your legacy for others to follow, we’ve started something where we’ve empowered others to take this initiative and run with it,” Thornhill said.

As Samuel graduates from Natcher Elementary this year, he hopes to bring his leadership skills with him on his educational journey. 

“I also want to be proactive. Where things could get me down, make me less energetic, or less focused on being a good leader, I want to focus and produce positive energy, making the people want to be around me more and want to be leaders as well in their own community,” Dame said.

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