Rosie Koul Receives CECAC’s 2012 Golden Puzzle Piece Award

Rosie Koul, director of the 21st Leaders Program at , was honored with CECAC’s 2012 Golden Puzzle Piece Award at the June 5 Birmingham Board of Education meeting.

The mission of CECAC (Community Education through Collaboration And Communication) is to improve the quality of life for every individual by linking home, school and community through communication and collaboration.

Every year CECAC honors an individual, or group who exemplifies community collaboration within the Birmingham Public School district and who represents one of CECAC’s membership: non-profits, schools, local businesses, or community.

“This year we are honoring Rosie Koul for her passionate leadership of the 21st Century Leadership Program. Her amazing vision is to guide middle school students in the discovery of their own leadership skills through community based social, cultural and professional activities,” said Sue Reepmeyer, tri-chair of CECAC.

The 21st Century Leaders, a sponsored group of The Community House, was started in 1993 as an idea of a Community House board member. Each year, the group consists of a diverse group of 40-45 seventh grade students from various public and private schools in six districts including Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Berkley, Birmingham and Bloomfield.

The program runs from September through April, with a graduation in May. It was modeled after Leadership Detroit / Leadership Oakland. Through listening to various speakers, student-leaders share their unique social and cultural experiences, and engage in problem-solving and self-awareness activities.  

Accepting her award, Rosie stated, “I stand on the shoulders of giants. 21st Century Leaders was a 15-year tradition of The Community House to which I was entrusted with both its legacy and its evolution."

I live in Birmingham, I work in Birmingham and I serve in Birmingham," she added. "I have a strong personal belief in my responsibility to be a member of the village which raises our children. 21st Century Leaders allows me to be an active part of this village. I am honored to be recognized by my own community in my passion and life’s work in Youth Leadership.”