South Salem’s Aaron Howard, New Activities Director. Photo via Noelle Miller ’27
One of South Salem High School’s own, Kathy August, retired recently after joining the Saxon family in 2003. She taught many classes in her 22 years at South, but one of the most prominent was Dynamic Leadership. Aaron Howard, South’s girls golf coach, and head of physical education and health classes, has taken over as the head of Leadership and activities director.
“South is such an awesome place with amazing students and staff, and I wanted to continue the great traditions that have been in place for years. I also want to help mentor and foster a group of leaders that can help shape the culture here at South. Mrs. August did so much for South Salem I felt it was my time to step up to continue and build the program she put so much love and passion into,” Howard said.
Howard’s Experience
Howard believes that leadership is a vital part of the South community. Howard, a Saxon alumni, believes that the leadership classes are always big on community service and running school events, even since he was a student. Before teaching at South, Howard was the athletic director. Howard said that coaching over the past eight years has helped him understand students’ strengths.
The leadership team is in charge of setting up assemblies throughout the year, such as Color Clash and the Sparrow events. They also set up fundraisers that benefit the school, such as the Polar Plunge. Leadership plays a big role in setting an example for students to follow while at South.
The Importance of Leadership
According to Howard, Leadership is key to a positive and successful environment at school for students, staff members and the community in general.
“They build a culture of respect and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone has a voice and feels a sense of belonging. By promoting school spirit through events, activities, and teamwork, leaders strengthen connections among students and staff, making the school a more welcoming and inspiring place. Strong leadership cultivates a community where collaboration and encouragement drive success, ultimately enhancing the overall school experience,” Howard said.
Students in Leadership set a precedent for the student body in terms of grades, attendance and overall behavior. Howard sets high expectations for members to improve the community. Overall, students are encouraged to have fun and think outside the box. Leadership plans on focusing on community service and planning informational assemblies for this semester.
