By Lilly LeClair, Special Writer
PRINCETON — The Princeton Center for Leadership Training jointly celebrated its 20th anniversary and the retirement of its founder, Dr. Sharon Rose Powell, with a reception Thursday evening.
The event, held at TPC Jasna Polana, in Princeton, was attended by partners of PCLT, including Hi Tops and Teen PEP, as well as current and former students involved in PCLT programs. The event also drew benefactors, including PSE&G, which donated $10,000 for the event.
PCLT was created as an independent, nonprofit organization that delivers leadership training in schools and communities. It has provided services throughout New Jersey, 12 other states and overseas, including work in Brazil and Japan.
Dr. Powell, a licensed New Jersey psychologist, will continue her position until the end of May after which Daniel Oscar will assume the role as president and chief executive officer.
The organization offers peer leadership and character education programs, which focus on age-appropriate issues for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools as well as parental programs designed to improve communication between parents and children. Studies on the effects of PCLT programs have shown improved grades, self-confidence, pro-social and help- seeking behaviors and the ability to control one’s temper.
Whitney B. Ross, board chairwoman and former peer leader, introduced Dr. Powell.
”She profoundly influenced the lives of many of us,” she said. “Thirty years ago, Sharon created a model in graduate school. Now more than 500 schools are taking part in New Jersey, the country and the world.”
In her speech, Dr. Powell praised her son and daughter as well as her husband, who she said helped start the company, with his calm and steady leadership.
”PCLT has grown steadily over the last 20 years, but not without the support of friends, friends like you who are here tonight,” Dr. Powell said, who after retiring will continue to serve PCLT as senior advisor.
A large component of PCLT is the Peer Group Connection, which helps incoming high school students adjust to their new environment through peer leadership. PGC wants students to feel connected to their peers and feel a sense of belonging to and support from their school.
PGC is active in 10 Mercer County schools, including Princeton High School and Princeton Day School.
”I wanted to help make a difference in lives in this critical transition between middle and high school,” Dr. Powell said.
Interested peer leaders apply to the program in the spring of either their sophomore or junior year. Chosen peer leaders are assigned to 10 to 12 incoming freshman, who then meet weekly to discuss a wide range of topics. The groups also plan and partake in safe after-school activities. Peer leaders continue training in a course that meets daily throughout the academic year, headed by two faculty members.
At the conclusion of her speech, Dr. Powell passed the baton, literally, to Mr. Oscar, who will take over June 1.
”Daniel is the perfect match for the center,” Dr. Powell said. “He is full of optimism and open to new ideas.”
Mr. Oscar, a graduate of Princeton University, most recently was president and founder of The Learning Project, a not-for-profit school management organization based in New York City, and was one of the founding leaders of Teach for America.
”PCLT has already touched 500 schools, but there are over 130,000 schools in this country,” Mr. Oscar said during his speech outlining his goals.
He hopes to make PCLT programming available to every school in the United States.
The Circle of Giving, a campaign that expects to raise $100,000 in 2009 to support youth leadership development, also was highlighted in the event. The Circle of Giving awards were presented to The Fund for New Jersey, the first foundation to support PCLT, and PSE&G, which has donated more than $200,000 in the last two decades.
Upon acceptance of the award, John Smith, director of corporate responsibility for PSE&G, announced his continued support.
Other award recipients included a founding board member, Mary Rose Taylor, as well as Tim and Jennifer Kingston, a married couple who, at age 13, were models for Dr. Powell’s Peer Group Connection program at Princeton High School.
Dr. Powell praised the Kingstons for being at the starting gate 20 years ago, first as Princeton High School freshman participants in PGC, then three years later as peer leaders.
Mrs. Kingston later joined PCLT’s staff as program director while Mr. Kingston served as a board member for 15 years.
While accepting the award, Mrs. Kingston noted Dr. Powell’s dedication.
”Her 20-year-old baby has grown up, and now she’s ready to let go, she said.
Princeton Center for Leadership Training is at 12 Vandeventer Ave., in Princeton.
For more information, visit www.princetonleadership.org or call 609-252-9300.

