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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Boardman High School students teamed up with kindergartner's from Robinwood Elementary School, helping them shape letters and numbers in playdough for the Big Spartan Little Sparten program on Feb. 1.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Robinwood Elementary school student Husha Awan worked with BHS senior Sophia McGee during the Big Spartan Little Spartan school program Feb. 1.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Boardman High School senior Ben Henderson worked with kindergartners at Robinwood Elementary School on Feb. 1 for the Big Spartan Little Spartan program.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Robinwood Elementary School student Asodbek Alisherov worked with playdough to spell his name accompanied by high school students from Boardman High School on Feb. 1 for the Big Spartan Little Spartan program.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Boardman High School students and kindergartners teamed up and worked together during the Big Spartan Little Spartan program on Feb. 1.
By JESSICA HARKER
Boardman High School students visited local elementary schools for the Big Spartan Little Spartan mentorship program on Feb. 1.
Juniors and seniors at BHS volunteer with the program, spending time on the first Friday of every month working with younger students on a variety of school work.
According to senior Peyton Curtis, students have to apply to be a member of the program by submitting an essay, and fitting the attendance and GPA criteria.
“They want to make sure all the students involved are going to be good role models for students,” Curtis said.
He explained that based on the essays a group of students is chosen to participate by Guidance Counselor Daniel Ewing who runs the program, and then students are placed at different schools for the year.
“I know someone from Robinwood so I was chosen to volunteer here,” Curtis said. “It can be a lot of fun for students with younger siblings or cousins.”
High school volunteers at each school participate in the program differently, according to senior Sophia McGee who volunteers at Robinwood Elementary School.
“The other schools have a partner that they meet, it’s the same child every month,” McGee said. “Here we go to different classrooms every month and we help everyone.”
McGee said last month the high school volunteers were working with fourth graders on math problems, and on Feb. 1 transitioned to working with kindergartners and play dough.
“We are in a different class room every month, so we get to see different ages and do different activities,” McGee said.
She said both set ups have their advantages and disadvantages, but either way working with younger students is rewarding.
“They are always really excited, and sometimes they are upset when they leave,” McGee said. “They say ‘oh no come back,’ and hug us as we go.”
Students in the program spend the year volunteering at their chosen school. Curtis said that high school volunteers are often involved in a variety of other school related activities, including sports, drama, band and more.
“It’s a lot of fun working with the students every month and getting to know them,” McGee said.