Every individual leads themselves as evidenced by:
How well are you consciously leading yourself, and leading those you have the privilege to influence?
The RISE Project is a highly interactive, youth leadership training program designed to share with participants practical ways to consciously lead themselves and positively lead and influence others.
The Choices we make are about empowering ourselves to respond versus react as life comes at us. It starts by knowing of the thousands of random thoughts we have...we can learn how to choose the thoughts that will empower us.
The Character we build is knowing you are more than the surface level of the personality. you show the world, the character you sow. If you want to build a great life, build a great character. If you want to have a mediocre life, let others decide your character for you. Character is when what you say, what you do, and how you live become one.
The Compassion you build is about the ability to see what someone is going through and a desire to help them. Think about how the world would be a better place if we just gave a little compassion to each other. Compassion allows us to understand and relate to those different from us because compassion comes from the heart...and people can sense your heart.
All modules include engaging discussions and group or individual activities to invite learning.
I have both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead myself. Everyone can choose to lead themselves and shape or influence the outcome of their life.
I believe it is better to approach my life intentionally, rather than unintentionally. I can lead my life and positively influence others.
I appreciate the value of choosing a growth (green and growing) vs a fixed (ripe and rotting) mindset.
I know how to apply the Self Leadership Equation of H + E + R = O to help navigate my life's unpredictable events.
I know I can "PAUSE" and "CHOOSE" how best to mindfully respond vs impulsively react in any situation, at any time, for any reason.
I know my personality is who I "show I am," and my character is who "I am." I am the strength of my beliefs, principles, and values.
I want to build upon my core character behaviors that will help me shape my life choices and become the best version of myself.
I appreciate the value of taking the time to gift compassion to myself. I need to fill my tank first before I can adequately fill others up.
My life will make a positive difference in the world. I strive to have compassion toward others as a key component of who I am.
I hope to learn skills I can apply to my life through a fun engaging learning experience from the RISE Program.
"Through the RISE Project, all seniors have an opportunity to engage in experiential learning sessions guided by community leaders on the Power of Choice, Boldness of Character, and Gifts of Compassion. This work has resulted in immediate tangible outcomes, such as increasing access to work-based learning experiences, increasing enrollment in relevant course sequences, as well as increased student collaboration and confidence.”
- Andy Allen, Batesville High School Principal
“I learned I am the leader of my life, no matter the circumstances, the results are what I choose to make them.”
- RISE BHS Student
“The RISE presenters led our students on a journey of self-discovery and reflection to help them lead from where they are. The RISE presenters shared their real-life experiences, some of their personal detours, and strategies to overcome life's obstacles. Over 90% of our students shared that they enjoyed participating in the RISE project and would recommend the RISE project to others.”
- Ryan Langferman, Milan High School Principal (Voted Indiana’s High School Principal of the Year).
"So many positive comments were shared amongst the students and the educators in attendance. The venue was beautiful, the facilitators were engaging, and the learning modules were insightful, inspiring, and interactive. We all felt the RISE Summit was an outstanding learning and leadership experience."
- Annette Hunger, President of Oldenburg Academy
Held at a world-class learning resort, our goal is to provide an equally world-class youth
leadership program. Doing so through a highly engaging experience filled with a unique blend of
learning and fun we call "Edutainment".
The RISE team exhibits genuine hospitality to show how much they care about the students as
people. One of the character principles shared in the RISE program is to "treat others as you
want to be treated", and the students leave the program feeling as though they were treated very
well. This is one way the RISE program leads by example, making it different from any other
youth leadership program.
High School Seniors and Juniors who have a sincere desire to develop basic self-leadership skills essential to becoming better problem solvers, critical thinkers, builders of character, and community-conscious leaders.
The training is facilitated by selected community leaders with relevant professional careers and
life experiences. The unifying factor with all of the RISE facilitators - they strive to live the
leadership principles they teach and wish to "give back" to their communities for the common
good of all.
Our RISE Guides in a classic RISE selfie (from left to right) :
Gary Munchel, Nick Prewitt, Lisa Gausman, Lisa Tuveson, Leon Smith, Dr. Amy Glaser-Carpenter
Gary lives in Oldenburg, Indiana. He is active in his community and has been part of the Freudenfest Committee
since 1987, Oldenburg's annual German festival, serving as Chairman, Co-
Chairman, and long standing Committee member.
He was the Director of Leadership and Associate Development for Hillenbrand
Industries, Batesville Casket Company, for over 20 years. His professional career
has primarily been in Learning and Development, Human Resources, eBusiness,
Marketing, and Consultative Sales and Sales Training.
Now semi-retired, he continues to provide professional learning and development
through his training company called Bold Soul Learning, which has facilitated
learning programs for a variety of companies, organizations, colleges, high
schools, and city municipalities on training topics such as leadership, coaching,
sales, emotional intelligence, and life appreciation.
Along with Leon Smith, Gary co-founded the RISE Youth Leadership Project in
2021. Gary is proud to be part of a team of community leaders who wish to "give
back" by working together to develop and champion emerging leaders through
the RISE Project.
A favorite quote of Gary's :Life is what you make it, so why not make it extraordinary?
Nick grew up on a small farm in Jennings County, Indiana, graduated from
Purdue University with a Bachelor’s of Science and moved to Batesville in 2005 to
work for Batesville Casket Company. Although not originally from there, Batesville
is home for Nick, there is nowhere else he’d rather live. Nick met his wife Stacey
at Freudenfest, a local German festival. Together they have two daughters,
Maddie and Ellie.
In his tenure with Batesville Casket Nick has held a variety of roles in Technology,
Marketing and Sales. Since 2017 he has been the Senior Account Executive for
Strategic Accounts in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic markets.
Nick enjoys giving back to his community. He is a past president of the Batesville
Youth Soccer Club and has been coaching travel soccer in Batesville since 2016.
Nick has been involved in numerous committees to enrich the community. Nick
enjoys running, hiking, attending concerts and soccer matches. He and his
family loves to travel and experience the world. Nick joined the RISE team in
A favorite quote of Nick's :The secret is not to find the meaning of life, but to use your life to make things that are meaningful.
- James Clear
Why Rise?I am a part of the RISE program to make a positive impact on our
community and be a role model for young people. To pass on life lessons learned
and help others through sharing experiences and knowledge gained through my
life.
Lisa was born and raised in Batesville Indiana. After graduating from
Indiana State University, this Batesville High School grad began her teaching and
coaching career in Indianapolis, where she received the Golden Apple award for
her innovative teaching with the roller coaster project and built up their Track &
Cross-Country program to a State Runner-Up title.
In 2006, Lisa and her high school sweetheart Tony, and their 4 children moved
back to Batesville to reinvest in the community and school that raised her. She is
involved in the Batesville Parks Department, Interact Club, Skatepark Advocate,
coaches Cross-Country and Track and is involved in various activities in her
church.
As a yes woman - Lisa would never pass up the opportunity for an adventure or
challenge - whether it's climbing a mountain, giving back through service, flash
mob dancing or traveling across the country. She believes that every moment is
an opportunity to be present and to live wholeheartedly with whatever she is
given. She always seeks opportunities to lift up those around her by fostering
teamwork, collaboration, and empowering individuals to reach goals and reach
their fullest potential. So, when her brother-in-law, Gary, asked her to be a part of
this program she immediately jumped in!
Lisa takes the most pride in being married to her husband Tony for almost 30
years, in her 4 children and the lives they have made for themselves and most
recently becoming a Grandma to her 1st Grandson, Wade.
Lisa brings unmatched energy and commitment to everything she is involved in
and is a firm believer in the phrase "Live the Moment."
Lisa was born and raised in Batesville, Indiana. She has her
undergraduate degree from Colgate University and a Masters in Education from
Boston College. She taught for several years in New England before moving back
home to Indiana to start her family. Lisa and her husband, Erik, have six children.
Lisa can’t imagine a better place to raise a young family than Batesville!
Lisa’s life journey has taken her down many fulfilling paths. In 2008, Lisa along
with two of her closest friends started a non-profit organization called Everyone’s
Child International. Everyone’s Child was a host family organization that
supported children from third world countries who were in dire need of medical
assistance in the United States. In 2011, she became certified as a yoga teacher
and several years later she co-opened the first yoga studio in Batesville. Most
recently, Lisa completed a two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification
Program, and teaches meditation classes in her community. In addition, Lisa is the
Wellness Coordinator for the Batesville Community School Cooperation where
she helps students find the tools they need to regulate their nervous systems.
Lisa loves to explore the world we live in… learning about different cultures and
religions from the people she meets along the way. She believes that every
person has a story from which she can learn. This passion has taken her to
Rishikesh, India, Ecuador, South America and The Gambia, Africa.
A favorite quote of Lisa's :“Meditation connects you with your soul and this connection gives you access to your intuition, your heartfelt desires, your integrity, and the inspiration to create a life you love.”
- Sarah McLean
Why Rise?Lisa is very excited to be a part of the RISE team, and she feelsfortunate that her passions align with the work does. She is passionate about
helping individuals along their life’s journey… finding the resources, support and
encouragement they need to navigate their way through the complexities of life
with a little more ease.
Smith is a native of Louisville Kentucky. He moved to Batesville, Indiana in
2014 with his wife, Meg, and their two daughters, Mimi, and Maci. Leon takes
great pride in telling people he is a graduate of Louisville Trinity High School and
the University of Kentucky.
Prior to moving to Batesville, Leon’s career has been almost exclusively leadership
roles in college and professional athletics. Leon played football at the University
of Kentucky and shortly after his playing career ended, he was recruited to begin
working in the University of Kentucky athletics department. Leon served in
several roles within the UK athletics department but the majority of his career
was spent serving as the Director of basketball operations and the assistant AD
for men’s basketball. In addition to his work at UK, Leon also worked for USA
basketball in Colorado Springs, Colorado and he was a director at the NCAA Office
in Indianapolis, where he was one of the directors, and managed 14 NCAA
National Championships.
Despite his extensive career in athletics, Leon has always been drawn to working
on projects that involve leadership skills or faith-based programs for youth. He
has served on the St. Louis School Athletics Board and their youth ministry
committee and multiple volunteer committees for the city of Batesville. This
includes a non-profit he co-founder called the Batesville Girls Basketball
Association, who use the game of basketball to teach leadership and life lessons
to girls grades 2-8.
Blame it on the fact that he comes from a family of southern Baptist preachers,
but Leon is passionate about helping others work their way successfully through
life. You will find him to be an open book about sharing his life story for the
benefit of others…especially teenagers and young adults.
Leon is the co-founder of the RISE Project. He leads the Batesville Student-
Athlete Leadership program and is working on bringing a youth foundation to the
city of Batesville. He loves youth!
A favorite quote of Leon's :If you haven’t impacted others in a positive way, then what have you really done?
Nestled deep in the rolling hills of southeast Indiana lies a picturesque 127-acre farm full of local history. Established by the Hillenbrand family, the farm has hosted many family and friends
within its rustic buildings over the years. The peace, calm, and beauty the farm emits are
profound - making it a premier place to slow down and recharge.
The program is designed to be a highly engaging experience, and coming to Jawacdah allows the
learner to be immersed in the learning, see things from a different perspective, and take a break
from everyday life to become reflective and focus on self-leadership skills.
Leon Smith and Gary Munchel
(Fall of 2021)
Two Good Friends - Two Messy Cheeseburgers - One Stellar Mission
The Mission:
Embark together to co-create a First-Class Youth Leadership Summit. Recruit a team of talented, passionate First-Rate Community Leaders to join and help.
The story to be continued, and more cheeseburgers to come.
Educating, Equiping, & Empowering the youth
of our communities so they may be better prepared to
RISE
above life's everyday challenges. And conciously choose to
Lead From Where You Are
join us as we choose to Lead From Where We Are. Will you RISE with us?
