In October, five student-athletes from Lincoln High School joined other Rhode Island student-athletes gathered for the annual Rhode Island Interscholastic League Leadership Workshop Conference, an event dedicated to developing teamwork, leadership, and a sense of community among the state’s young leaders. The conference, which took place at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich, brought together captains and student representatives from various schools to participate in team-building activities and hear inspiring talks from professionals in the sports world.
The five Lincoln students – Allison Dumont, Liedson Centeio, Anna Danis, Conor Johnson, and Molly Halliwell – were each nominated by their coaches for their leadership and character.
“These five student-athletes were carefully selected by their coaches to attend the Fall RIIL Leadership Conference,” assistant athletic director Madison Resendes said. “These athletes are role models, leaders, and positive influences amongst their teammates and within Lincoln Athletics. Some of these students serve as captains, while others consistently demonstrate leadership qualities.”
One of the highlights of the day was a motivational session led by Patriots Hall of Famer Matt Light, a three-time Super Bowl Champion and co-founder of the Light Foundation. Light spoke about not being afraid to ask for help and being grateful for the mentors in our lives, emphasizing what it truly means to lead with integrity and humility.
“We listened to a retired professional football player, who talked about integrity and what it means to be a leader,” said Danis. “Then we went out to the camp and participated in team relays that consisted of lifting and running.”
The event combined physical challenges with opportunities for communication and collaboration, pushing students to step out of their comfort zones. Each challenge was designed to mirror the values of leadership, communication, perseverance, and support. For many, it wasn’t just about the competition but about making connections with peers from different schools and sports.
“I enjoyed this event because I got to spend a day with a group of other athletes and form connections with those from other schools,” Halliwell said. “I also found the exercises to be very fun, whether I was cheering for my teams or running through the obstacle course.”
Each challenge was meant not only to test physical strength, but also communication, perseverance, and support. For many, it wasn’t just about the competition but about making connections and learning from others.
“I was selected because I am a captain of fall sports this year,” Halliwell said. “That spirit of connection, bridging rival schools and sports, embodied the heart of the RIIL’s mission.”
Danis also reflected on the event’s impact.
“The purpose was to gain a sense of community and leadership through the selected students,” she said. “For many attendees, the conference was more than just a day of fun and competition, it was a meaningful reminder of the impact young leaders can have both on and off the field.”
According to Resendes, the event’s lessons will continue to influence Lincoln’s athletic programs.
“The main goals of this year’s event pertained to working together as a team and pushing themselves out of their comfort zone,” Resendes said. “These student-athletes participated in many different activities that they don’t get to experience on a day-to-day basis. This pushed them to try new things and learn from each other.”
By the end of the day, Lincoln’s student-athletes left the RIIL Interscholastic Conference with new friends, stronger leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with empathy, communication, and trust both in sports and in life.
