How Rampals are reaching out to the younger generation
By Averie Grace-Hayes
Photo of Rampals taken by Mrs. Beck
Students know that if they have taken a leadership class this year they are a part of a program called Rampals. This program happens every Wednesday and is where leadership students go to different elementary schools to spend time with the younger students. The program is led by Ms. Shannon Beck and Coach Asa Poteete in their respective leadership classes.
When the leadership team had been thinking of ways to be more involved in the school, while also being leaders, they thought up what is now known as Rampals.
“It goes along with the leadership curriculum of like being a leader and being a good influence and being a mentor in your community. I think that is a part of leadership. … I just think it correlates with the leadership class really well,” expresses Beck.
Although this curriculum has been ongoing since the beginning of this year, it was quite the challenge to get started in the first place.
“It took a while to get it started just because we had to coordinate it with all the different elementary schools and principals … and that was all done by Mr. Dotson. He was able to take that time with it. ... He individually called them all ... and made it happen,” exclaims Beck.
Despite this crossroads, Rampals is now in full swing. Every week, the elementaries and transportation are pre-planned.
Beck states, “We pretty much walk in [to the elementary school] and I think they plan it, since they know we're coming and every time we get there, we're like ‘alright, where do you want us to go?’ They typically fill where they want to.”
Consequently, seeing highschoolers build this relationship with the younger students is very important for both the older kids and the younger kids.
“The elementary kids are so excited about every single thing … but I think it’s fun for [leadership students] to turn into little kids again when you are with [elementary students] and it’s fun to see that change as you guys hang out with them. It’s all more exciting,” exclaims Beck.
Although Rampals has been beyond successful this year; the leadership team has more ideas to advance this program.
“We talked about maybe eventually going to the sixth, seventh and eighth grade centers and see if they wanted us to come,” Beck states “And maybe reach out to the middle schools and see if that’s something down the road we can do. We just want to build and grow and continue to do more.”
With the Rampals program being as enriching as it has been this year, it is hoped to be continued and expanded for several years.
Beck states, “I think it’s something we have really hooked into and really enjoyed. I think it’ll be something we do for a lot of years to come.”