Student leadership development doesn’t start in a classroom or in a lecture—it begins the moment young people step outside themselves to serve, connect, and uplift others. At Cumorah Academy, this truth was once again proven through a meaningful outreach project led by two inspiring student groups: Moroni and Ruth.
The project was simple, yet powerful: teaching English to local high school students in the Czech countryside. But what grew from that experience became much bigger than a service activity—it became a catalyst for confidence, gratitude, friendship, and cultural exchange.
The Impact on Students
Before diving into how this initiative unfolded, let’s hear from some of the students who helped bring it to life.
Miguel Leitão, from Brazil and part of the Moroni group, shared:
“This project is essential to tie our relationship with the local community and show the power Cumorah Academy can bring to anyone’s life.”
Mariana Azevedo, also from Brazil and part of the Ruth group, added:
“We’re doing this as a way to say ‘thank you’ for letting us stay in their country.”
For Gabriel Hilamatu, from Brazil and in the Moroni group, the project was deeply personal:
“I wish I had this when I was a teenager.”
And from Argentina, Walter Stamm of the Ruth group explained:
“We can engage with the community and it’s a way to help others too.”
Finally, Livia Camargo, from Brazil and part of Moroni, captured the heart of the mission:
“We’re not just teaching English, but also sharing cultures.”
These words reveal the heartbeat of something much bigger than a classroom activity. They reveal what student leadership development truly looks like in action.
Why Outreach Matters in Student Leadership Development
An outreach project is not a box to check or a requirement to graduate. At Cumorah Academy, it is a cornerstone of the Leadership & Personal Development program. The purpose is simple yet transformative:
to inspire students to return home with the courage and desire to initiate service projects in their own communities.
In other words, outreach is training for real life.
Students learn to:
- Identify needs around them
- Take initiative
- Collaborate with diverse teams
- Practice empathy
- Apply communication and leadership skills
- Serve without expecting recognition
These are the exact foundations of student leadership development, and outreach projects allow students to practice them authentically—not theoretically.
As part of campus tradition, students at Cumorah Academy are divided into groups named after scriptural figures who embody strength, courage, and virtue:
- Moroni
- Ruth
- Nephi
- Isaiah
- Esther
Each group chooses a project that reflects these values. That led the Moroni and Ruth groups to select an idea that touched the hearts of everyone involved: teaching English to local high school students.
Teaching English: More Than a Class—A Cultural Bridge
So, what made their outreach project so meaningful?
Teaching English Builds Connection
Students from both Moroni and Ruth traveled to a local school in Vlašim, a quiet town in the Czech countryside. Most of these Cumorah Academy students had originally come to the Academy hoping to improve their English themselves. Yet here they were—standing in front of a classroom, leading lessons with energy and courage.
The beauty of this project is that it revealed a powerful truth:
You don’t need to be an expert to teach what you already know.
Many young adults hold back from helping others because they feel they’re not “ready.” But readiness isn’t the goal—willingness is.
Through the experience, students:
- Strengthened their English
- Practiced teamwork
- Applied their Public Speaking skills
- Learned to teach clearly and confidently
- Connected with the Czech youth
- Shared their culture and learned about others
- Built friendships beyond the classroom
The project became a real-time workshop in student leadership development, showing that leadership grows when you step into spaces that stretch you.
The Ripple Effect: How Outreach Projects Transform Students
When young adults participate in service, something shifts inside them. They begin to see themselves not only as individuals seeking improvement but as contributors capable of creating change.
Here’s how this specific project helped students grow:
1. It strengthened confidence
Standing in front of a classroom requires courage. Students discovered that they could communicate, teach, and inspire—even in a language that wasn’t their first.
2. It deepened cultural understanding
By working with Czech teenagers, students built a bridge of empathy, curiosity, and mutual respect.
3. It developed real leadership skills
From planning lessons to speaking publicly to collaborating in teams, students exercised key elements of student leadership development every step of the way.
4. It nurtured gratitude
As Mariana mentioned, teaching English became a way to give back to a country that welcomed them.
5. It reminded them they are capable of making an impact now
Not someday. Not when they become “experts.”
Now.
This shift in mindset is life-changing.
Why These Experiences Matter for Young Adults
Many young adults arrive at Cumorah Academy feeling stuck—uncertain about their purpose, disconnected from meaningful friendships, or unsure of their direction. But once they step onto campus, things begin to change.
Service creates belonging.
Teaching builds confidence.
Connection fuels motivation.
And student leadership development grows naturally when students use their abilities for the collective good.
Outreach projects like the Moroni & Ruth initiative open doors for learning that goes far beyond textbooks. Students gain:
- Emotional intelligence
- Resilience
- Self-awareness
- Communication skills
- Responsibility and teamwork
- A sense of mission
These are the qualities that shape leaders—not by title, but by character.
And for many, this becomes one of the most unforgettable chapters of their lives.
Your Journey Starts Here
If you are a young adult searching for:
- A place to grow your confidence
- Experiences that challenge and inspire you
- Friends who uplift and support you
- A community rooted in service, faith, and purpose
- Real opportunities for student leadership development
Then Cumorah Academy is the place where your story can begin.
Our students come from around the world. They arrive with dreams, doubts, and questions—and they leave with courage, clarity, and lifelong connections.
Now it’s your turn.
Ready to lead, serve, and discover who you can become?
Explore our programs, follow us on social media, and take the next step toward a life-changing semester at Cumorah Academy. Your leadership journey begins the moment you choose it.
Choose it today.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
