The Oswego circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, has partnered with the Oswego Middle School in hopes of lighting some inspiration in a group of at-risk eighth graders.

The project, titled "Take the Lead—Strengths, Leadership, and Teamwork," places ODK members with 19 students as they work to increase the youths’ understanding of their strengths, motivate them in the classroom and demonstrate to them the value of giving back to those in the community.

As a major leadership organization on campus, ODK felt it had the responsibility to make an impact by being more involved with events and programs that bring the campus and community together.

The culmination of the project will be a school dance themed after Michael Jackson. ODK and the students have agreed to donate all funds raised at the dance to the Make-A-Wish foundation and ODK has pledged to match the amount students are able to raise. Through these efforts they hope to collect $2,000 to present to a representative from the Make-A-Wish foundation at a luncheon on March 26.

Members of Omicron Delta Kappa are asking for assistance from campus organizations, clubs, sports teams, hall councils, Greeks and more. The group is asking that a pledge of $50 be made toward their ultimate goal of raising of $5,000.

More information about this program can be found at the ODK website www.oswego.edu/odk. A pledge form for organizations can be found here as well as general information about the "Take the Lead" program.